At a Glance
A historic Harlem institution — NYC's first Catholic school for African-American students, still centering faith and character
Families seeking an affordable, faith-based elementary education in Harlem who value small class sizes, strong character emphasis, and a historic community institution over extensive athletics or competitive admissions.
- Founded in 1912 by St. Katharine Drexel — the first Catholic school for African-American students in NYC
- Remarkably affordable tuition for Manhattan private school ($4,450)
- Extended day program for working families
- Middle States Association accreditation
- Strong parent sentiment about values-based education and character development
- Limited athletics — only 1 sport offered compared to 9 extracurricular activities
- Very small enrollment (reflected in few online reviews) — may not have the range of programs larger schools offer
- Rolling admission means spots may fill early — no fixed deadline to plan around
- No student-teacher ratio publicly available, though parent reviews suggest personalized attention
A historic Catholic elementary school serving pre-K through 5th grade, founded in 1912 by St. Katharine Drexel — the first Catholic school for African-American students in New York City.
Small and intimate — parent reviews describe a family-like atmosphere where teachers know students by name and families know each other. The school draws from the surrounding Harlem neighborhood and beyond.
North Harlem is a vibrant, historically rich neighborhood with strong roots in Black culture and community. It has a family density score of 96/100 — meaning lots of families with kids around.
The school is located on West 138th Street in Central Harlem, a walkable neighborhood with good subway access and local businesses. Families living in Harlem or nearby Upper Manhattan will have the easiest commute.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Generally positive reviews across Niche (4.5/5 stars, 2 reviews) and GreatSchools (4.4/5 stars, 15 reviews). Parents describe it as a family-oriented school with amazing teachers who promote values and develop character. Students mention supportive classmates and strong high school preparation.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Harlem (North).
- What grades does ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL serve?
- ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL?
- ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL in?
- ST MARK THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL is in Harlem (North), Manhattan.
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