Activities

St. Mark's School provides many opportunities to enrich the student mentally, physically, and spiritually. You may contact the school office for further information.


Athletics

St. Mark's basketball program is available for 5th and 6th graders. This non-competitive season focuses on learning the rules and basics of basketball. Girls’ season is October through November and boys' season is January through February. Practices are held at the school on weekdays and are coached by staff or parent volunteers. All students of all skill levels and abilities are encouraged to participate. Games are played after school either at St. Joe’s or at a north Boise school.

Holy Spirit Invitational Tournament - 5th and 6th grade girls and boys compete in a tournament held in late March at Idaho State University, Pocatello. Many Catholic teams throughout Idaho and Utah participate in this enjoyable, competitive basketball tournament organized by Holy Spirit Catholic School, in Pocatello. The tournament begins on Friday afternoon and concludes with a championship game on Sunday.

Hallissey Basketball Tournament - 7th & 8th grade girls and boys compete in this exciting valley-wide tournament held annually in Boise, generally during President’s Day weekend. Many of the games are played at St. Joe’s with the championship games held at Bishop Kelly High School.

Treasure Valley Catholic Schools (TVCS) forms athletic teams from all of the area Catholic Schools to play in the Intervalley Athletic League. 
TVCS (Treasure Valley Catholic Schools) Sports - Students in grades 6th through 8th participate in the Treasure Valley Catholic Schools (TVCS) cooperative program, which forms teams from all the Catholic Jr. High schools in the Treasure Valley, to participate in the Intervalley League. 7th -  8th grade sports offered include volleyball, cross-country, football, wrestling, basketball, tennis, and track and field. 6th graders may participate in TVCS cross country, wrestling, tennis, track and academic quiz bowl. 
Please visit the TVCS website, Treasure Valley Catholic Schools, for complete information on schedules, eligibility, physical exams, registration etc. Generally, the schedule is:

Fall Sports
  Football (8th grade)
  Girls' Volleyball (7th & 8th grade)
  Cross Country (6th & 7th & 8th grade)
Early Winter Sports
  Wrestling (6th & 7th & 8th grade)
  Girls' Basketball (7th & 8th grade)
Winter Sports (January)
  Boys’ Basketball (7th & 8th grade)
Spring Sports
  Track (6th & 7th & 8th grade)
  Tennis (6th & 7th & 8th grade)
  Quiz Bowl - all school year (6th & 7th & 8th grade)

Members of the Intervalley league include:
    Nampa South
    Nampa West
    Lone Star   
    East Valley
    Middleton
    Emmett
    Vallivue
    Sage Valley
    Treasure Valley Catholic Schools (TVCS)
    Hacker Middle School (Mountain Home)
    Kuna
    Jefferson (Canyon County)
    Syringa (Canyon County)


Spiritual Enrichment

Second graders participate in First Reconciliation and First Communion Retreats.

St. Mark's 7th and 8th graders have the opportunity to attend an annual retreat off campus and an off campus Purity and Chastity speaker.

All grades at St. Mark's participate in an Advent and Lenten Retreat during school.

Jr. High Rally for students in Grades 6th, 7th & 8th at Bishop Kelly High School.


STEAM

Science Olympiad - St. Mark's 6th, 7th, and 8th graders can participate in the Science Olympiad as part of their science curriculum. Please email Mrs. Judy to reserve your event for coaching the 23 events available.  The Science Olympiad is a state and national competition designed to improve the quality of science education, increase student interest in science, and provide recognition for outstanding achievement in science education. Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) - Every year, St. Mark's 6th graders have the opportunity to attend the McCall Outdoor Science School. MOSS facilitates a place-based, collaborative science inquiry within the context of Idaho’s land, water and communities. They provide experiential learning opportunities among students, educators, scientists and citizens to foster the critical thinking skills necessary to address complex issues. The students stay in McCall on a campground for a week using the stunning natural surroundings of the Central Idaho mountains to actively engage participants in place-based science inquiry and problem solving.

Future Cities - St. Mark's 7th graders can participate in Future Cities as part of their science curriculum. For school participant details, click the middle school future cities site.  Future Cities students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. Past topics include stormwater management, urban agriculture, and green energy. Students present their solutions via a virtual city design (using SimCity); a 1,500-word city essay; a scale model; a project plan, and a presentation to judges at Regional Competitions in January. Regional winners represent their region at the National Finals in Washington, DC in February. This flexible, cross-curricular educational program gives students an opportunity to do the things that engineers do—identify problems; brainstorm ideas; design solutions; test, retest and build; and share their results.

Choir/Orchestra

Students in grades 5th - 8th can participate in St. Mark's Choir. Practices are held twice a week after school. The St. Mark’s School choir performs in the annual Christmas and Spring programs, at the parish advent concert, and at local nursing homes and retirement centers.

Students in grades 3rd - 8th can participate in the Student Body Mass Choir. Practices are held once per week during school lunch break and they sing at all student liturgies.

Students in grades 5th - 8th can participate in St. Mark's Orchestra. Practices are held twice a week before school. Previous experience is required. The St. Mark's School orchestra performs in the annual Christmas and Spring programs.

Students in the 5th grade take Orchestra for their music curriculum. This opportunity is provided to learn and practice an instrument during school class time. The 5th grade orchestra performs in the annual Christmas and Spring programs.

Art and Writing

Students across all grade levels are provided the opportunity to participate in various essay and art contests inside and outside the school community.  Yearbook is an elective class for middle school students who want to help create memories for their peers. 


Student Council

Student Council is charged with leading our St. Mark’s School Community by being positive role models and the voice of the student body. Student Council promotes the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school and parish.  Officers include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Representatives from 5th - 8th grades.


Student Enrichment

St. Mark's School collaborates with local organizations to provide enrichment opportunities for students to participate in after school, held at the school. Drama, art, robotics, and tennis are a few of the classes that have been offered.

Chess Club - An opportunity to learn, practice, and play chess is available during the cold months once per week during lunch recess for students in 2nd - 8th grades.

Homework Club - After-school care is available for students from 3:00pm to 5:30pm.  Students have access to the computer lab and have a safe, secure place to hang out after school and complete their homework.

Scouting - Cub Scouts is offered for boys in Grades 1-5 with Den Meetings and monthly Pack Meetings.  Boy Scouts is offered for boys in Grades 6-8 with weekly Troop Meetings on Tuesday evening.  Girl Scouts is offered for girls in grades K - 5th to participate in a St. Mark's troop where meetings are held at the school.