How to Apply

Application Timeline

St. Mark’s is currently accepting applications for the 2027-2028 school year. To help your family and your son navigate this process, please see the steps below:

  • Step 1: Get to Know St. Mark's (Sept-Dec)
  • Step 2: Complete the Application (Sept-Jan)
    • Submit the online application form; this will give you access to the admission checklist
    • Sign up for and take assessments
    • Sign up for a student observation (Grades 1-4) or a student interview (Grades 5-11)
    • Request teacher evaluations and school records

  • Step 3: Receive Admission Decision (March 12) 

Grade Level Information

1st Grade

List of 7 items.

  • Applicant Guidelines

    All First Grade applicants must be in Kindergarten or Primer in the Fall of 2026.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by December 14, 2026:
    To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. 

  • Parent Response

    Complete the following by January 29, 2027:
    • Parent Response

  • CATS Assessment

    The CATS assessment report must be received no later than January 29, 2027.

    Collaborative Academic Testing Service Cognitive Ability Assessment:
    A cognitive ability assessment is required for first-grade applicants. The assessment is conducted by Collaborative Academic Testing Service (CATS). Please visit CATS to register. For those applying for Financial Aid, please contact CATS directly if inquiring about a reduced assessment fee. 

    A note from Collaborative Academic Testing Service: As the testing season progresses, CATS will become short on testing slots so that rescheduling is often not possible before application deadlines. Winter weather, illness, and holiday travel all interfere with appointments during Winter months. Applicants' performance on the tests is evaluated relative to other students within a narrow chronological age band, so waiting until later in the school year does not improve one's chance of achieving higher scores. Please click here to read more about the CATS assessment. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the CATS Assessment.

  • ATS Assessment

    The ATS assessment report must be received no later than January 29, 2027.

    ATS Assessment:
    Please click here to register for the virtual ATS achievement assessment. Candidates need only register once and should only test one time in December 2026 or January 2027. St. Mark’s will help with the cost of the ATS for those applying for financial aid. Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding ATS.

  • Student Observation

    The First Grade Observation must be completed by January 29, 2027.

    Student Observation:
    Once an application form is submitted, you will have the opportunity to select an on-campus observation date. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the student observation.

  • Records and Evaluation Forms

    School Records and the Current Teacher Evaluation must be received no later than January 29, 2027.

    • Request your son's current school records using the records release request electronic form in the application checklist.
    • Request your son's current teacher evaluation using the electronic form in the application checklist.

2nd & 3rd Grade

List of 5 items.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by November 9, 2026:
    To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee.

  • Parent Response

    Complete the following by December 14, 2026:
    • Parent Response

  • Student Observation

    Second and Third Grade observation must be completed by December 14, 2026.

    Once an application form is submitted, you will have the opportunity to select an on-campus observation date. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the candidate observation.

  • ISEE Primary Assessment

    The ISEE Primary score report must be received no later than December 14, 2026.

    Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
    All applicants to Second and Third grades are required to take the ISEE Primary Exam. Please register at ISEE; when registering for the exam, please add St. Mark's School of Texas as a recipient of his scores. The St. Mark's ISEE school code is 441805. St. Mark’s will help with the cost of the ISEE for those applying for financial aid. Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE Primary test.

  • Records and Evaluation Forms

    School Records and the Current Teacher Evaluation must be received no later than December 14, 2026.

    • Request your son's current school records using the records release request electronic form in the application checklist.
    • Request your son's current teacher evaluation using the electronic form in the application checklist.

4th Grade

List of 6 items.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by November 9, 2026:
    To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. 

  • Parent Response

    Complete the following by December 14, 2026:
    • Parent Response

  • CATS Assessment

    The CATS assessment score report must be received no later than December 14, 2026.

    Collaborative Academic Testing Service Cognitive Ability Assessment:
    A cognitive ability assessment is required for fourth grade applicants. The assessment is conducted by Collaborative Academic Testing Service (CATS). Please visit CATS to register. For those applying for Financial Aid, please contact CATS directly if inquiring about a reduced assessment fee. 

    A note from Collaborative Academic Testing Service: As the testing season progresses, CATS will become short on testing slots so that rescheduling is often not possible before application deadlines. Winter weather, illness, and holiday travel all interfere with appointments during Winter months. Applicants' performance on the tests is evaluated relative to other students within a narrow chronological age band, so waiting until later in the school year does not improve one's chance of achieving higher scores. Please click here to read more about the CATS assessment. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the CATS Assessment.

  • ISEE Primary Assessment

    The ISEE Primary score report must be received no later than December 14, 2026.

    Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
    All applicants to Second and Third grades are required to take the ISEE Primary. Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to register their son to take the ISEE. When registering for the exam, please add St. Mark's School of Texas as a recipient of his scores. The St. Mark's ISEE school code is 441805. St. Mark’s will help with the cost of the ISEE for those applying for financial aid. Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE Primary.

  • Student Observation

    Fourth Grade observation must be completed by December 14, 2026.

    Once an application form is submitted, you will have the opportunity to select an on-campus observation date. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the candidate observation.

  • Records and Evaluation Forms

    School Records and the Current Teacher Evaluation must be received no later than December 14, 2026.

    • Request your son's current school records using the records release request electronic form in the application checklist.
    • Request your son's current teacher evaluation using the electronic form in the application checklist.

5th – 8th Grade

List of 5 items.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by January 8, 2027:
      To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. 

    • Parent and Student Responses

      Submit the following to St. Mark's by January 29, 2027:
      • Parent Response
      • Student Response
      • Student Activities Form

    • ISEE Assessment

      The ISEE score report must be received no later than January 29, 2027.

      Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
      The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) for grades 5-11 is available to take either in person or online at-home. Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to register their son to take the ISEE. When registering for the exam, please add St. Mark's School of Texas as a recipient of his scores. The St. Mark's ISEE school code is 441805. St. Mark’s will help with the cost of the ISEE for those applying for financial aid. Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE test.

    • Student Interview

      Student interviews must be completed by January 29, 2027.

      Once the initial application form is submitted, you will be able to choose the interview option that works best for your son. The interview is an opportunity for candidates to engage in conversation with peers and a St. Mark’s faculty member. The interview is required for boys applying to 5th-11th grade and they may choose from one of the following interview options:  

      • On-Campus Afternoon Interview
      • Shadow School Visit with Interview
      • Virtual Interview

      For applicants who reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we encourage an in-person interview. This in-person interview occurs at the end of the shadow visit, or as a stand-alone, in-person experience on campus in the afternoon.
       
      For applicants who do not reside in Dallas-Fort Worth, or are unable to visit St. Mark’s, we offer the virtual interview option. 
       
      All students receiving admission will have the opportunity to experience campus life firsthand after decisions are communicated in March.

      Please contact Korey Mack with questions regarding candidate interviews.

    • Records and Evaluation Forms

      School Records and Mathematics and English Teacher Evaluations must be received no later than January 29, 2027:

      • Request your son's current school records using the records release request electronic form in the application checklist.
      • Request your son's current mathematics and current English teacher evaluations using the electronic form in the application checklist. 

    9th – 11th Grade

    List of 5 items.

    • Application Form

      Submit the following to St. Mark's by January 8, 2027:
        To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. 

      • Parent and Student Responses

        Submit the following to St. Mark's by January 29, 2027:
        • Parent Response
        • Student Response
        • Student Activities Form

      • ISEE Assessment

        The ISEE score report must be received no later than January 29, 2027.

        Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
        The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) for grades 5-11 is available to take either in person or online at-home. Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to register their son to take the ISEE. When registering for the exam, please add St. Mark's School of Texas as a recipient of his scores. The St. Mark's ISEE school code is 441805. St. Mark’s will help with the cost of the ISEE for those applying for financial aid. Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE test.

      • Student Interview

        Student interviews must be completed by January 29, 2027.

        Once the initial application form is submitted, you will be able to choose the interview option that works best for your son. The interview is an opportunity for candidates to engage in conversation with peers and a St. Mark’s faculty member. The interview is required for boys applying to 5th-11th grade and they may choose from one of the following interview options:  

        • On-Campus Afternoon Interview
        • Shadow School Visit with Interview
        • Virtual Interview

        For applicants who reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we encourage an in-person interview. This in-person interview occurs at the end of the shadow visit, or as a stand-alone, in-person experience on campus in the afternoon.
         
        For applicants who do not reside in Dallas-Fort Worth, or are unable to visit St. Mark’s, we offer the virtual interview option. 
         
        All students receiving admission will have the opportunity to experience campus life firsthand after decisions are communicated in March.

        Please contact Korey Mack with questions regarding candidate interviews.

      • Records and Evaluation Forms

        School Records and Mathematics and English Teacher Evaluations must be received no later than January 29, 2027:

        • Request your son's current school records using the records release request electronic form in the application checklist.
        • Request your son's current mathematics and current English teacher evaluations using the electronic form in the application checklist. 

      St. Mark’s School of Texas

      10600 Preston Road
      Dallas, Texas 75230
      214-346-8000

      About Us

      St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

      St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.