Twenty-eight tests to grade. Twenty-eight packets of homework to go over. At her old public school, Teri Broom felt overwhelmed with more than two dozen students to manage each day. At St. Mark’s, things are different. 

The 8:1 student teacher ratio at St. Mark’s is one of the school’s most unique traits, allowing students to benefit from more personalized instruction through deeper relationships with faculty members. In fact, studies by the National Institutes of Health have demonstrated that lower student teacher ratios improve student outcomes and achievement — especially in lower grades.

This ratio marks a drastic difference between St. Mark’s and public schools, where, according to the U.S. News and World Report, the average student teacher ratio in Texas is 15:1.

First grade teacher Teri Broom used to teach a class of 28 fifth graders at a public school in Coppell. For her, the contrast between her old teaching job and current one here is stark.

“There were very few breaks in the day,” Broom said. “I taught all subjects. It was a self-contained classroom, so I taught English, science, social studies and math — everything every day, and the schedule was the same every day.”

Broom now teaches 16 first graders, allowing herself to give each student the attention they deserve. She feels a lot less overwhelmed after coming to here, now able to focus on building stronger connections with her students.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted. In general, regardless of grade level, having smaller classes is a gift. You can just do so much more, and you’re not spread so thin,” Broom said. “You can make better use of your time because you’re not having to grade as much.”

Teaching a smaller class is not only beneficial for teachers, but for students as well.

“I am making better progress with the kids because I can make sure that I give one-on-one attention to the kids to get them back on track if they’re struggling with a concept,” Broom said.

Junior Collin Ku takes AP Chinese with only four other students. He finds that every person can participate fully and receive more attention.

“(Class) is more like having a slightly larger tutoring session, where there is a lot more attention per student,” Ku said. “ Whenever we do a class activity, like reading the textbook, each person gets to do a chunk of it. You won’t run out of material to talk about.”

Ku also finds that this intimate classroom setting allows him to build strong connections with his fellow classmates.

“If you have a question, usually your classmates will be able to help you. It’s very much brotherly,” Ku said. “Obviously, everyone already knows each other, but we’re all good friends instead of just classmates.”

The small student teacher ratio highlights the school’s approach to teaching and mentorship. A vast group of teachers and advisors, such as librarians and admissions officers, are involved in students’ lives, whether through direct classroom instruction or not.

“The ratio symbolizes how we value the boys and their education by ensuring that they have qualified, enthusiastic and engaged faculty leading them, not only through content, which is super important, but through all facets of the Path to Manhood,” Director of Student Recruitment Korey Mack ’00 said.

The ratio is also one of the most emphasized facts about the school to prospective students and parents.

“It’s a commonly inquired about question from families,” Mack said. “We’re also mindful of the number of students we aim to enroll. Those are conversations that our Director of Enrollment Management has with the Headmaster and the Executive Team. They set the enrollment target for the following year and our job is to meet that target.”

Beyond just an admissions statistic, Mack noted that the ratio ultimately reflects the school’s broader goal for its students.

“I think it speaks to our commitment to the boys, to their development,” Mack said. “