Canal Alliance Partnership

The Canal Alliance partnership emerged as an outcome of the first Community Leaders’ Breakfast held at Saint Mark’s School in March 2003.

The program began as an opportunity for students from the two educational institutions to meet, socialize and tutor each other. The students are of the same age but have different home languages and life experiences.

One afternoon a week, seventh and eighth graders from Saint Mark’s visit their partners at the Canal Alliance

Together they work on homework assignments and projects; they also share ideas and histories, communicating primarily in English. All students commit for a full semester, thus allowing strong bonds to form.

On a different afternoon, Saint Mark’s parents drive Canal students from their middle school to Saint Mark’s, for Spanish classes. Our Upper Division Spanish teachers engage the students in topics relevant to both groups; these classes are held primarily in Spanish.

The partnership is an exciting and mind-opening experience for all those involved. The reciprocal nature of our friendship with the Canal Alliance has brought an added dimension into the lives of the entire Saint Mark’s community.

The reciprocal nature of our friendship with the Canal Alliance has brought an added dimension into the lives of the entire Saint Mark’s community.

We are enriched by hosting their Black History celebration on our campus, by having them share their perspectives on questions of immigration with us and by planning together a musical evening for the 2007-2008 school year.