Local School Information for Marin County, Mill Valley and Kentfield, California Provided by Patti Cohn

19 Public School Districts Serve Thousands of Students

Marin's public schools system includes 19 districts headed by superintendents and elected school boards, and a separate county Office of Education headed by Superintendent Mary Jane Burke, who is elected by voters.

Some districts are so small they offer multilevel elementary and middle school education in one-room schoolhouses. Novato boasts the county's largest school district with 7,818 students in 16 schools.

Some districts receive state money based on the number of students who attend each day. Other districts qualify for basic-aid funding, which comes from property taxes. These include the Bolinas, Larkspur, Nicasio, Reed, Ross, Sausalito, San Rafael, Shoreline and Tamalpais Union districts.

The Office of Education headed by Burke is charged with maintaining the fiscal solvency of local school districts and reviews, advises and intervenes when necessary. The county office program includes special and alternative education, regional occupation programs, and business and technology services.

Public School System

Marin County Office of Education, 111 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael; Mary Jane burke, superintendent, 499-5801, oversees special education and alternative programs, including:

Marindale, Early Intervention program, Toni Lee, program manager, preschool, 850 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael, 472-1969. Enrollment: 200
Marin County Community School, Lisa Schwartz, coordinator, ages 12-18, 160B North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 491-0581. Enrollment: 60
Loma Alta/Juvenile Hall, Lisa Schwartz, principal, ages 8-19, 16 Jeanette Prandi Way, San Rafael, 499-6713. Enrollment: 39
Oracle Independent Study, Rosalie Laird, supervisor, ages 13-18, 555 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, 491-0792. Enrollment capacity: 85
Phoenix Academy, Marin County Charter School, Lisa Schwartz, principal, ages 14-18, 160B North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 491-0581. Enrollment capacity: 34
Regional Occupational Program, Gene Abbott, coordinator, high school students and adults, 1111 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael, 491-6639. Enrollment: 3,019 students annually.
School to Career, Ken Lippi, executive director, 1111 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael, 499-5865. Enrollment: 3,175
Special Day Classes, Belinda Hayes, director, ages 3 to 22 years, 1111 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael, 491-6612. Enrollment: 500

School Districts

Bolinas-Stinson Union School District. Superintendent Larry Enos heads one-school district, 125 Olema-Bolinas Road, Bolinas, 868-1603. Enrollment: 122. Board meets on the second Tuesday of the month at district office.

Dixie School District. Superintendent Thomas Lohwasser heads four schools. Headquarters: 380 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, 492-3700. Enrollment: 1,768. Board meets second Tuesday of the month at district office. Schools are:

Dixie School, K-5, 1175 Idylberry Drive, San Rafael, 492-3730. Enrollment: 374
Mary E. Silveira School, K-5, 375 Blackstone Drive, San Rafael, 492-3741. Enrollment: 365
Miller Creek School, 6-8, 2255 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael, 492-3760. Enrollment: 662
Vallecito School, K-5, 50 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, 492-3750. Enrollment: 367

Kentfield School District. Superintendent Robert Caine heads two schools. Headquarters: 699 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield, 925-2230. Enrollment: 992. Board meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Schools are:

Anthony G. Bacich School, K-4, 25 McAllister Avenue, Kentfield, 925-2220. Enrollment: 525
A.E. Kent Middle School, 5-8, 250 Stadium Way, Kentfield, 458-5970. Enrollment: 467

Laguna Joint School District. Principal-teacher Pamela Brambila heads one school. Headquarters: 2657 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma, 707-762-6051. Enrollment: 30. Board meets fourth Thursday of the month.

Lagunitas School District. Marin County Office of Education is providing superintendent services. Headquarters: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Lagunitas School Road, P.O. Box 308, San Geronimo, 488-4118. Enrollment: 308. Board meets second Tuesday of the month. Schools are:

Lagunitas School, K-8, Sir Francis Drake Blvd., P.O. Box 308, San Geronimo, 488-9437. Enrollment: 204
San Geronimo Valley School, K-6, Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo, 488-9421. Enrollment: 104

Larkspur School District. Superintendent Valerie Pitts heads two schools. Headquarters: 230 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, 927-6960. Enrollment: 1,023. Board meets second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the community room at the district office. Schools are:

Hall Middle School, 6-8, 200 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, 927-6978. Enrollment: 336
Neil Cummings School, K-5, 58 Mohawk Avenue, Corte Madera, 927-6965. Enrollment: 687

Lincoln School District. Principal-teacher Sandra Doyle heads one K-6 school. Headquarters: 1300 Hicks Valley Road, Petaluma, 707-763-0045. Enrollment: 9. Board meets third Tuesday of the month.

Mill Valley School District. Superintendent Ken Benny heads six schools. Headquarters: 411 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, 389-7700. Enrollment: 2,235. Board meets second Wednesday of the month at district office. Schools are:

Edna Maguire School, K-5, 80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, 389-7733. Enrollment: 323
Mill Valley Middle School, 6-8, 425 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, 389-7711. Enrollment: 736
Old Mill School, K-5, 352 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, 389-7727. Enrollment: 304
Park School, K-5, 360 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, 389-7735. Enrollment: 309
Strawberry Point School, K-5, 117 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, 380-2490. Enrollment: 233
Tamalpais Valley School, K-5, 350 Bell Lane, Mill Valley, 389-7731. Enrollment: 330

Nicasio School District. Marin County Office of Education, superintendent. 5555 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio, 662-2184. Enrollment: 67. Board meets first Wednesday of the month at school.

Novato Unified School District. Superintendent Jan LaTorre-Derby heads 16 schools. Headquarters: 1015 Seventh Street, Novato, 897-4201. Enrollment: 7,818. Board meets first and third Tuesdays of the month at district education center or various school sites. Schools are:

Hamilton School, K-5, 1 Main Gate Road, Novato, 883-4691. Enrollment: 365
Hill Middle School, 6-8, 720 Diablo Avenue, Novato, 893-1557. Enrollment: 586
Loma Verde School, K-5, 399 Alameda de la Loma, Novato, 883-4681. Enrollment: 344
LuSutton School, K-5, 1800 Center Road, Novato, 897-3196. Enrollment: 417
Lynwood School, K-5, 1320 Lynwood Drive, Novato, 897-4161. Enrollment: 394
Marin Oaks High School, 9-12, 611 Arthur Street, Novato, 892-8733. Enrollment: 65
Marin School of Arts and Technology, 9-11, 1850 Ignacio Blvd., No. 100, Novato, 883-7390. Enrollment: 178
Nova Independent Study, K-12, 1015 7th Street, Novato, 897-7653. Enrollment: 97
Novato Charter School, K-5, 936 C Street, Novato, 883-4254. Enrollment: 240
Novato High School, 9-12, 625 Arthur Street, Novato, 898-2125. Enrollment: 1,146
Olive School, K-5, 629 Plum Street, Novato, 897-2131. Enrollment: 375
Pleasant Valley School, K-5, 755 Sutro Avenue, Novato, 897-5104. Enrollment: 370
Rancho School, K-5, 1430 Johnson Street, Novato, 897-3101. Enrollment: 481
San Jose Middle School, 6-8, 1000 Sunset Parkway, Novato, 883-7831. Enrollment: 513
San Marin High School, 9-12, 15 San Marin Drive, Novato, 898-2121. Enrollment: 1,051
San Ramon School, K-5, 45 San Ramon Way, Novato, 897-1196. Enrollment: 475
Sinaloa Middle School, 6-8, 2045 Vineyard Road, Novato, 897-2111. Enrollment: 721

Reed Union School District. Superintendent Christine Carter heads three schools. Headquarters: 277-A Karen Way, Tiburon, 381-1112. Enrollment: 1,048. Board meets third Tuesday of the month at district office. Schools are:

Bel Aire School, 3-5, 277 Karen Way, Tiburon, 388-7100. Enrollment: 351
Del Mar School, 6-8, 105 Avenida Miraflores, Tiburon, 435-1468. Enrollment: 352
Reed School, K-2, 1199 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, 435-7840. Enrollment: 345

Ross School District. Superintendent Tammy Murphy heads one K-8 school. Headquarters: 9 Lagunitas Road, Ross, 457-2705. Enrollment: 384. Board meets second Wednesday of the month in the school library.

Ross Valley School District. Superintendent Cheryl Crawley heads five schools. Headquarters: 110 Shaw Drive, San Anselmo, 454-2162. Enrollment: 1,757. Board meets second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 110 Shaw Drive. Schools are:

Brookside School Upper Campus, 3-5, 46 Green Valley Court, San Anselmo, 454-7409. Enrollment: 282
Brookside School Lower Campus, K-2, 116 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, 453-2948. Enrollment: 269
Manor School, K-5, 150 oak Manor Drive, Fairfax, 453-1544. Enrollment: 314
Wade Thomas School, K-5, 150 Ross Avenue, San Anselmo, 454-4603. Enrollment: 290
White Hill School, 6-8, 101 Glen Drive, Fairfax, 454-8390. Enrollment: 602

San Rafael Elementary and High School Districts. Superintendent Laura Alvarenga heads 11 schools. Headquarters: 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, 492-3200. Enrollment: 5,579. Board meets second and fourth Mondays of the month at various locations. Schools are:

Bahia Vista School, K-5 125 Bahia Way, San Rafael, 485-2415. Enrollment: 408
Coleman School, K-5, 800 Belle Avenue, San Rafael, 485-2372. Enrollment: 294
Davidson Middle School, 6-8, 280 Woodland Avenue, San Rafael, 485-2400. Enrollment: 946
Gallinas School, K-6, 177 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 492-3150. Enrollment: 585
Glenwood School, K-5, 25 Castlewood Drive, San Rafael, 485-2430. Enrollment: 354
Laurel Dell Elementary, K-5, 225 Woodland Avenue, San Rafael, 485-2317. Enrollment: 144
San Pedro School, K-5, 498 Point San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 485-2450. Enrollment: 363
San Rafael High School, 9-12, 185 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, 485-2330. Enrollment: 1,008
Sun Valley School, K-5, 75 Happy Lane, San Rafael, 485-2440. Enrollment: 403
Terra Linda high School, 9-12, 320 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, 492-3100. Enrollment: 1,027
Madrone High School Continuation, 9-12, 185 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, 485-2435. Enrollment: 47

Sausalito Marin City School District. Superintendent Rose Marie Roberson heads three schools. Headquarters: 630 Nevada Street, Sausalito, 332-3190. Enrollment: 263 Board meetings on fourth Thursday of the month at the district office. Schools are:

Bayside Elementary, K-5, 630 Nevada Street, Sausalito, 332-1024. Enrollment: 106
Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, 6-8, 610 Drake Avenue, Marin City, 332-3573. Enrollment: 51
Willow Creek Academy, K-5, 630 Nevada Street, Sausalito, 331-7530. Enrollment: 106

Shoreline Unified School District. Superintendent Stephen Rosenthal heads seven schools. Headquarters: 10 John Street, Tomales, 707-878-2266. Enrollment: 660. Board meets third Thursday of the month at various locations. Schools are:

Bodega Bay Elementary, K-5, 1200 Canon Street, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2724. Enrollment: 42
Inverness Elementary School, K-1, Bayview and Mesa streets, Pt. Reyes, 669-1018. Enrollment: 36
Tomales Elementary School, K-8, 40 John Street, Tomales, 707-878-2214. Enrollment: 213
Tomales High School, 9-12, 3850 Irvin Road, Tomales, 707-878-2286. Enrollment: 220
West Marin Elementary, K-8, 11550 State Route 1, Pt. Reyes, 663-1014. Enrollment: 139
Shoreline Independent Study School, K-12, 3850 Irvin Road, Tomales, 707-878-2286.
Shoreline High School, continuation, 3850 Irvin Road, Tomales, 707-878-2286.

Tamalpais Union High School District. Superintendent Bob Ferguson heads five schools. Headquarters: 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, 945-3720. Enrollment: 3,908. Board meets second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at district office. Schools are:

Redwood High School, 9-12, 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, 924-6200. Enrollment: 1,467
Sir Francis Drake High School, 9-12, 1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, 453-8770. Enrollment: 1,061
San Andreas High School, 9-12, 599 William Avenue, Larkspur, 945-3770. Enrollment: 135
Tamalpais High School, 9-12, 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, 388-3292. Enrollment: 1,132
Tamiscal Independent Study, 9-12, 305 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, 945-3750. Enrollment: 113

Union Joint School District. Principal-teacher Deborah Brayton heads one school. Headquarters: 5300 Redhill Road, Petaluma, 707-762-2047. Enrollment: 16. Board meets the second Wednesday of the month.

California Charter School. Harini Madhaven, education manager at Marin Conservation Corps, 9-12, 27 Larkspur Street, San Rafael and 33 Commercial Blvd., Novato, 454-4554. Enrollment: 45

Private schools a popular option in Marin

Private schools in Marin serve a diverse student population. Nine offer high school programs, and more than 30 provide elementary and middle school classes. Many parochial school programs are available, along with programs that offer alternative teaching methods.

High Schools

Branson School, 9-12, 39 Fernhill Avenue, Ross, 454-3612. Enrollment: 320
Marin Academy, 9-12, 1600 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, 453-4550. Enrollment: 400
Marin Catholic High School, 9-12, 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield, 464-3800. Enrollment: 750
Marin School, 9-12, 100 Ebbtide Avenue, Sausalito, 339-9336. Enrollment: 92
North Bay Christian Academy, 9-12, 6965 Redwood Blvd., 892-8921. Enrollment: 144
San Domenico Upper School, 9-12, 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, 258-1939. Enrollment: 175
Sunny Hills Children's Garden, James R. Sylla School, 7-12, 300 Sunny Hills Drive, San Anselmo, 457-3200. Enrollment: 52
Timothy Murphy School, 8-12, 1 St. Vincent Drive, San Rafael, 499-7616. Enrollment: 25

Middle and Elementary Schools

Allaire School, 3-7, 50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera, 927-2640. Enrollment: 14
Big Rock Sudbury School, K-12, 1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, 472-3009. Enrollment: 20
Brandeis Hillel Day School, K-8, 180 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 472-1833. Enrollment: 200
Cascade Canyon School, K-8, 2626 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Fairfax, 459-3464. Enrollment: 49
Dunham Academy, K-8, 70 San Pablo Avenue, San Rafael, 491-4700. Enrollment: 20
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, preschool-5, 1180 Lynwood Drive, Novato, 897-2510. Enrollment: 275
Greenwood School, K-4, 17 Buena Vista Avenue, Mill Valley, 388-0495. Enrollment: 100
Lycee Français La Perouse, preschool-5, 330 Golden Hind Passage, Corte Madera, 924-1737. Enrollment: 156
Marin Christian Academy, K-8, 1370 South Novato Blvd., Novato, 892-5713. Enrollment: 140
Marin Country Day School, K-8, 5221 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, 927-5900. Enrollment: 506
Marin Horizon School, preschool-8, 305 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley, 388-8408. Enrollment: 250
Marin Montessori School, K-6, 5200 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, 924-5388. Enrollment: 196
Marin Primary & Middle School, preschool-8, 20 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, 924-2608. Enrollment: 370
Marin Waldorf School, preschool-8, 755 Idylberry Road, San Rafael, 479-8190. Enrollment: 182
Montessori de Terra Linda, preschool-6, 620 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael, 479-7373. Enrollment: 130
Mount Tamalpais School, K-8, 100 Harvard Avenue, Mill Valley, 383-9434. Enrollment: 250
North Bay Christian Academy, K-8, 6965 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, 892-8921. Enrollment: 144
Our Lady of Loretto School, K-8, 1811 Virginia Avenue, Novato, 892-8621. Enrollment: 237
Ring Mountain Day School, preschool-8, 70 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, 381-8183. Enrollment: 250
Saint Mark's School, K-8, 39 Trellis Drive, San Rafael, 472-8000. Enrollment: 380
San Domenico Middle School, 6-8, 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, 258-1908. Enrollment: 140
San Domenico Primary School, Pre K-5, 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, 258-1910. Enrollment: 275
St. Anselm Elementary, K-8, 40 Belle Avenue, San Anselmo, 454-8667. Enrollment: 263
St. Hilary's Elementary School, K-8, 765 Hilary Drive, Tiburon, 435-2224. Enrollment: 308
St. Isabella's Parochial Elementary, K-8, 1 Trinity Way, San Rafael, 479-3727. Enrollment: 260
St. Patrick Elementary, K-8, 120 King Street, Larkspur, 924-0501. Enrollment: 256
St. Raphael School, K-8, 1100 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, 454-4455. Enrollment: 258
St. Rita's Elementary, K-8, 102 Marinda Drive, Fairfax, 456-1003. Enrollment: 253
Star Academy, 921 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, 456-8727. Enrollment: 42
Sunny Hills Children's Garden, Marin Academic Center, K-7, 300 Sunny Hills Drive, San Anselmo, 457-3200. Enrollment: 40
Timothy Murphy School, 2-8, 1 St. Vincent's Drive, San Rafael, 499-7616. Enrollment: 59

Wide range of college degrees available

You don't have to leave the county to get an excellent college education. A wide range of college programs is available in Marin from vocational training to two-year transfer programs, undergraduate and graduate programs.

College of Marin, a community college with campuses in Kentfield and Novato, offers associate degrees and transfer programs for students as well as an array of courses for credit or fun. Last year, 1,041 credit classes were taught in a variety of formats, including lecture classes, Internet classes, telecourses and work experience. Credit classes are $26 per unit.

The college's financial aid office provides information and support for students who qualify for fee waivers and other financial-aid programs.

The college has degree programs in nursing, dental assisting, early childhood education, computer science and other career-oriented areas.

A program that lets prospective teachers earn a degree and credentials in four years is being offered cooperatively by College of Marin and Dominican University in San Rafael. Students can start the program at the two-year community college and then transfer to Dominican or other universities.

Dominican University of California is an independent Catholic university that offers liberal arts and professional undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student body.

In all, 1,977 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled. One in four is of African American, Latin American, Asian or Native American heritage.

The university employs 73 full-time faculty members, up from 41 a decade ago.

This year, U.S. News and World Report ranked Dominican among its top-tier Western institutions for its masters programs.

College of Marin. President Frances White, Marin Community College District, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield, 457-8811. Board meets on the second Tuesday of the month at various locations.

The Indian Valley campus is at 1800 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, 457-8811.

The number of full-time equivalent students taking credit courses is approximately 5,351.

About 3,888 students enrolled in non-credit classes for the spring 2005 semester.

The Kentfield campus admission and records office is in room 254 at the student services building. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon Friday, and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

The admissions and records office at the Indian Valley campus is in the student services building and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, and Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information, call 457-8811, ext. 7722. In addition, class registration is available at www.marin.cc.ca.us/admissions/reginfo.html, or by calling 415-883-3220.

Dominican University of California. President Joseph Fink, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, 457-4440. Enrollment: 1,977.

Dominican's 2005-06 tuition rates are $25,950 annually for undergraduates and $695 per unit for graduate students.

The university has arrangements with several Bay Area community colleges that allow students to transfer as juniors if they have taken classes that are the equivalent of required prerequisites at Dominican.

To reach the admissions office, call 485-3204.

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