SCHOOL HISTORY
The history of Saint Mark's High School begins in 1966 with the announcement by His Excellency Michael Hyle, the Bishop of Wilmington, of the construction of a new Diocesan high school in the Pike Creek valley. The School was given the name of Saint Mark by Bishop Hyle's successor, the Most Reverend Thomas Mardaga. Bishop Mardaga's selection of the name is attributed to Saint Mark's traditional depiction as a young man and an evangelist who was inspired to spread the word of God.
Construction on the School began in 1967, and the first students began attending classes in the September 1969 under the leadership of Father Jim Delaney, the School's first principal. Construction on the complex was completed in 1970, and the School was dedicated on 24 May 1970.
The School's campus and facilities remained largely unchanged until 1995, when a formerly covered portico area was converted into office and lobby facilities as a part of the School's Silver Anniversary Campaign. In 2008, the School completed two additional athletic fields on lands that were gifted by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
Most recently, the School welcomed Mr. Tom Fertal as Principal in 2019. One year later, Mr. Fertal transitioned into a President role, becoming the first President in School history. Under the leadership of President Fertal, the School has developed into one of the fastest growing Catholic schools in the country and launched the single-largest campaign in School history called Renewing the Vision: The Campaign for Saint Mark's High School.
Construction on the School began in 1967, and the first students began attending classes in the September 1969 under the leadership of Father Jim Delaney, the School's first principal. Construction on the complex was completed in 1970, and the School was dedicated on 24 May 1970.
The School's campus and facilities remained largely unchanged until 1995, when a formerly covered portico area was converted into office and lobby facilities as a part of the School's Silver Anniversary Campaign. In 2008, the School completed two additional athletic fields on lands that were gifted by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
Most recently, the School welcomed Mr. Tom Fertal as Principal in 2019. One year later, Mr. Fertal transitioned into a President role, becoming the first President in School history. Under the leadership of President Fertal, the School has developed into one of the fastest growing Catholic schools in the country and launched the single-largest campaign in School history called Renewing the Vision: The Campaign for Saint Mark's High School.
Saint Mark's Purpose
Rooted in Catholic values and traditions, Saint Mark’s High School provides a student-centered, coeducational college preparatory experience that nurtures each student both as an individual and as a contributing member of the school community. Supported by their parents, faculty and staff, and each other, Saint Mark’s students pursue academic success, cultivate their unique gifts, and build lives of faith, excellence, humility, and integrity.
School Seal
Our school seal is comprised of symbols that uniquely and proudly
identify key elements of our history and tradition.
identify key elements of our history and tradition.
- The Star - Represents the Blessed Mother, the Star of the Sea, which comes from Bishop Hyle’s coat of arms as a reminder of the man who made our school’s existence possible.
- The Chi Rho - The symbol of Christ, in whom we are grounded.
- The Open Book and Cross - Symbolize Christian education.
- The Lion - The symbol of Saint Mark, the school’s namesake.
- The Cross - The cross at the top of our seal is linked to the coat of arms for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, of which the Diocese of Wilmington is a part of. The cross is from the coat of arms of the Calvert family who first colonized Maryland in 1634. The Calvert family wanted to create a society of religious toleration, the first in the New World, which guaranteed people the right to worship freely, laying the foundation of the Catholic Church in our country. Because of these contributions to the Catholic faith, Baltimore was designated the seat of the nation’s first Diocese.
- Three ‘Rounded’ Triangles - The three 'rounded' triangles in the top of the circle, represent the fact that the Diocese of Wilmington was originally composed of parts of three states: Delaware, the ‘Eastern Shore’ areas of Maryland, and Virginia. These areas constitute the geographic area known as the Delmarva Peninsula. In 1974, Pope Paul VI transferred the Virginia territory of the Diocese of Wilmington to the Diocese of Richmond after the construction of the Chesapeake Bridge-Tunnel improved convenient travel between the Easter Shore Counties of Virginia and the mainland.
All Things Possible
Our tagline “All Things Possible” comes from the words found in Saint Mark’s Gospel: “All things are possible to the one who believes.” Imbued with Catholic values, a Saint Mark’s education emphasizes embracing one’s relationship with God---a relationship that opens the door to endless possibilities. Likewise, the Saint Mark’s student experience is both vast and intimate, offering academic rigor, individualized instructional strategies, and a rich selection of co-curricular activities, presenting all students with opportunities to thrive in their own unique ways. We recognize that every student is made in the image and likeness of God and is therefore equally cared for, respected, and accepted. At Saint Mark’s, students fulfill their learning potential and excel at what they love.
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About Saint Mark
Saint Mark is one of the four writers of the Gospels. Most of what is known of Mark comes from the New Testament, with one citation noting that when Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark's mother [Acts 12: 12].
The Gospel of Saint Mark is both the shortest and the oldest of the four gospels. Probably written between 60 and 70 AD, the Gospel of Mark centers on the notion of Jesus' rejection by humanity while, at the same time, being the victorious envoy of God on Earth.
Mark is believed to have been a close friend of Saint Barnabas, having accompanied both Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey.
Like Saint Luke, Mark was not one of the twelve Apostles. Additionally, Mark is viewed as being the first Bishop of Alexandria [Egypt]. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, and his remains are believed to be interred at the Basilica located on Saint Mark's Square.
The symbol most commonly associated with Saint Mark is the winged lion.
The Gospel of Saint Mark is both the shortest and the oldest of the four gospels. Probably written between 60 and 70 AD, the Gospel of Mark centers on the notion of Jesus' rejection by humanity while, at the same time, being the victorious envoy of God on Earth.
Mark is believed to have been a close friend of Saint Barnabas, having accompanied both Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey.
Like Saint Luke, Mark was not one of the twelve Apostles. Additionally, Mark is viewed as being the first Bishop of Alexandria [Egypt]. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, and his remains are believed to be interred at the Basilica located on Saint Mark's Square.
The symbol most commonly associated with Saint Mark is the winged lion.
Our Diocesan Family
Saint Mark's is the only Diocesan high school in New Castle County. Saint Mark's serves students and families from throughout the Diocese of Wilmington and beyond. Current students reside in all three counties of the state of Delaware, parts of Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey.
To learn more about our Catholic Diocese, please visit the Diocesan website by clicking here.
To learn more about our Catholic Diocese, please visit the Diocesan website by clicking here.
2501 Pike Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
Phone: (302) 738-3300 Fax: (302) 757-8704
Saint Mark’s, a college-preparatory coeducational Catholic high school, inspires young men and women to create a better world, one more pleasing to God and more helpful to others, by modeling faith, excellence, humility, and integrity.