HISTORY
Joseph Burnett, the school’s founder, was the father of six boys, the eldest of whom was a student at St. Paul’s School of Concord, N.H. The headmaster of that private institution, founded a decade prior to St. Mark’s, suggested Burnett create a similar school in Massachusetts, one that Burnett’s other five boys could call home. Like so many St. Markers to follow, Burnett met the challenge that faced him. His goal was to offer a high-quality education, and to this day, St. Mark’s remains focused on excellent academics, provides a rigorous liberal arts program that stems from a classical tradition, and prepares its students for the best colleges and universities.

In appearance, St. Mark’s has changed much since its founding. Then, the school was composed solely of one structure—a square, two-story house painted yellow with green blinds. That building and others from those early days, including a large schoolroom and dormitory wing built in 1866–1867, were gradually demolished in the 1890s, to make way for the brick and Tudor-styled structures that now grace the school’s 250-acre campus. To this day, St. Mark’s continues to add new facilities for its students—a new athletic center, dormitory, and performing arts center all within the last two decades—but strives to couple the feel of its pre-existing buildings with the amenities recent design and architectural advances allow.