How to Apply

First Grade Application Process

List of 6 items.

  • Applicant Guidelines

    All First Grade applicants must be in Kindergarten or Primer in the Fall of 2024 and have a date of birth between March 2018 and August 2019.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by December 13, 2024:
    To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. St. Mark’s will provide testing fee waivers for those who need financial assistance. Please contact Alicia Alvarez regarding fee waivers.

  • CATS Assessment

    The First Grade CATS Assessment must be completed by January 15, 2025.

    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. The cost of the assessment is $325.

    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.

  • Student Observation

    The First Grade Observation must be completed by February 1, 2025.

    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.

  • ATS Testing

    First Grade Testing must be completed by January 27, 2025.

    ATS Testing:
    The Independent Schools Admission Association of Dallas (ISAAD) has collaborated with Admission Testing Solutions to offer virtual achievement testing for first grade candidates applying to participating schools. Candidates need only register once and should only test one time in December 2024 or January 2025. 

    Online ATS Test Registration Instructions: 
    1. Go to this registration link.
    2. Click on your preferred date and add to cart.
    3. Cart window will pop up on screen. Click "OK."
    4. Click on the shopping cart in the upper right corner. Then click "Checkout" or "Continue Shopping" if you would like to add an additional child. If checking out, please confirm the test date listed is correct. 
    5. Check out by making an account with an email & password, or if you already have an account, click "Sign In" and enter your email and password. 
    6. Enter your child's first & last name and birthdate and click the box giving permission for the testing session to be recorded for proctoring purposes. 
    7. Select the check box(es) for the school(s) to which you want your child's test scores sent. You can make changes later if necessary. 
    8. Enter your payment information and click "Complete Purchase" or enter a waiver code. Click "Apply" to submit. 
    9. You will then see a screen that says Purchase Complete!
    10. A confirmation email will be sent for each completed registration
    11. For questions, please contact admin@admissiontestingsolutions.com.

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding ATS Testing.

  • Records and Evaluation Forms

    School Records and the Current Teacher Evaluation are due by January 27, 2025.

    • 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.

Second - Fourth Grade Application Process

List of 5 items.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by November 15, 2024:
    To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. St. Mark’s will provide testing fee waivers for those who need financial assistance. Please contact Alicia Alvarez regarding fee waivers.

  • CATS Assessment

    Second, Third and Fourth Grade CATS Assessment must be completed by December 16, 2024.

    Collaborative Academic Testing Service Cognitive Ability Assessment:
    A cognitive ability assessment is required for second, third and fourth grade applicants. The assessment is conducted by Collaborative Academic Testing Service (CATS). Please visit CATS to register. The cost of the assessment is $325.

    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.

  • Student Observation

    Second, Third and Fourth Grade observation must be completed by December 16, 2024.

    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 Testing

    The Second, Third and Fourth Grade ISEE Primary must be completed by December 16, 2024.

    Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
    All applicants to Second, Third and Fourth grades are required to take the ISEE Primary Exam. Please visit ISEE by ERB to register for the ISEE Primary once; 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. 

    Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE Primary test.

  • Records and Evaluation Forms

    School Records and the Current Teacher Evaluation are due by December 16, 2024.

    • 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.

Fifth - Eleventh Grade Application Process

List of 4 items.

  • Application Form

    Submit the following to St. Mark's by January 10, 2025:
    • Application Form submitted online
    • Parent Response
    • Student Response
    • Student Activities Form
      To reduce the cost associated with applying to our school, St. Mark’s does not charge an application fee. St. Mark’s will provide testing fee waivers for those who need financial assistance. Please contact Alicia Alvarez regarding fee waivers.

    • ISEE Testing

      The ISEE Test must be completed no later than January 27, 2025.

      Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
      The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) for grades 5-11 is available to take either at home or in person. Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to register their son to take the ISEE test at ERB: 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. 

      Please contact Alicia Alvarez with questions regarding the ISEE test.

    • Student Interview

      Student interviews must be completed by January 27, 2025.

      Once the initial application form is submitted, you will have the option to choose the interview option that works best for you and your son.
      • On-Campus Afternoon Interview
      • Shadow School Visit with Interview
      • Virtual Interview
      There is no preferred interview method and shadow school visits are optional. Regardless of whether your son visits St. Mark's this fall, he will have the opportunity to experience life as a Marksman on campus should he receive admission in March.

      Please contact Korey Mack with questions regarding candidate interviews.

    • Records and Evaluation Forms

      School Records and Mathematics and English Teacher Evaluations are due to St. Mark's by January 27, 2025:
      • 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. 
    Though the formal application window has closed, St. Mark’s is currently accepting provisional applications for the 2025-2026 school year. 

    Lower School Provisional Applications, Grades 1-4, will be accepted through Thursday, May 1.

    Middle and Upper School Provisional Applications, Grades 5-11, will be accepted through Monday, June 30.

    If you have questions, please reach out to Kerry Schneidewind at 214-346-8270 or schneidewindk@smtexas.org.
    St. Mark's School of Texas 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.
    SAO

    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.