Seoyeon Kim ‘26 Ikon Kim ‘27
Students walking down the STEM corridor
As we open a new chapter for the St. Mark’s community with the new head of school, Dr. Ivory Hills, the St. Mark’s school presents the newly updated 2024-2025 Student Handbook. The newly updated student handbook, Dean of Students Liz Agosto says, will “provide clarity and unity in [the St. Mark’s] approach to education and community living.” These changes, reflected in areas such as attendance, cell phone use, dress code, discipline, and technology, align with St. Mark’s School’s core values of respect, understanding, safety, and honesty (RUSH) and its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment.
Attendance Policy Enhancements
The revised attendance policy emphasizes in-person learning. The updated student handbook now clearly distinguishes excused and unexcused absences. Excused absences include unexpected emergencies, medical concerns, college visits, and other requests. Any absences that didn’t receive preapproval or aren’t excused by Health Services are considered unexcused. Consequences for unexcused absences can range from sending notifications to advisors and parents to being placed on attendance probation. Students who miss more than eight class meetings in a semester course or sixteen in a year-long course regardless of excused or unexcused status risk their grades and possibly their enrollment. Absences during Saturday classes and Lion Term are also closely monitored. No student may miss more than two Saturday classes within a season or three or more Lion Term classes, as missing additional classes will result in a maximum grade of Low Pass for Lion Term and can lead to academic probation in both cases. These updates are designed to promote in-person learning and to ensure the students make the most of St. Mark's diverse and enriching academic environment.
Revised Cell Phone Rules
Cell phones and earbuds/headphones are now prohibited during school commitments, including classes, practices, chapel, and seated meals. Students must keep their phones off or on “Do Not Disturb” mode during these times. Students with approved health or learning accommodation plan that requires the use of a cell phone may have different policies and procedures around their cell phone usage.
Clarified Dress Code
The dress code has been clarified according to the changes made at the end of the last academic year. During academic days, students can wear skirts, pants, khakis, jeans, or shorts, as long as they are of appropriate length and fit. Tops can include collared shirts, sweaters, blouses, and St. Mark’s sweatshirts, but must cover the midriff and undergarments. For formal events like evening chapel and Prize Day, students must wear Formal Chapel Dress with guidelines specifying dress pants, skirts, or dresses paired with blazers, dress shoes, and formal tops. Outside of the academic day clothing must be clean and appropriate, and undergarments should not be visible. Respecting cultural diversity, St. Mark’s also permits traditional formal attire from a student’s cultural background. Hats are not allowed in academic buildings or the dining hall, except for religious or cultural reasons. These updates ensure that students can feel comfortable and confident in their attire, allowing them to focus on their academic and extracurricular pursuits without added concerns about their appearance.
Expanded Discipline Process
The handbook now explains the discipline process in more detail, addressing different levels of offenses from casual lying to unauthorized visitation to more serious offenses like stealing and drug usage. This tiered approach encourages students to reflect and improve, aligning with the school’s values of respect and honesty.
Guidelines on AI Usage
The handbook includes updated policies on the use of Artificial Intelligence, requiring students to properly cite AI tools in assignments. Unauthorized creation of deepfakes is strictly prohibited and classified as a Level One offense, which could result in dismissal.
These changes were made to align with St. Mark’s values, ensuring a supportive environment for all students. By clarifying policies, the school aims to help student focus on their learning and personal growth. While this article features few of the important sections of the 2024-2025 Student Handbook, it is strongly advised for students and parents to read the student handbook to ensure a positive learning and living environment at St. Mark’s.
For more information, please review the full Student Handbook on the school’s website.