Marin County, nestled in the heart of Northern California, offers a diverse array of private educational institutions catering to various learning styles and needs. From innovative pedagogies to specialized programs, parents seeking the ideal environment for their children have numerous options to consider. Below is an overview of some notable private schools in the region:
Southern Marin Schools
Headlands Preparatory School (Sausalito)
Serving grades 6–12, Headlands Preparatory offers a transformative educational experience with a one-to-one teaching model and flexible scheduling. This approach allows students to learn at their own pace while engaging in extracurricular activities. Learn more here.
The Discovery School (Sausalito)
Located within the Bay Area Discovery Museum, The Discovery School is California’s only museum-based preschool, providing a distinctive atmosphere that fosters children’s natural curiosity through research-based curriculum. Learn more here.
The New Village School (Sausalito)
Opened in 2009, this independent school provides education from preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing outdoor education and social-emotional intelligence development without the use of screens until 6th grade. Learn more here.
Marin Horizon School (Mill Valley)
An independent school for toddlers through 8th grade, Marin Horizon combines challenging, project-based academics with a joyful learning environment. The curriculum is complemented by an outdoor education program that promotes social-emotional learning and leadership. Learn more here.
Mount Tamalpais School (Mill Valley)
This co-educational K–8 school is dedicated to developing knowledge and goodness within children. With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, the school emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and independence. Learn more here.
North Bridge Academy (Mill Valley)
Specializing in education for dyslexic students in grades 2–8, North Bridge Academy tailors its curriculum to individual learning needs using multi-sensory, sequential, and phonics-based teaching methods. Learn more here.
Central Marin & San Rafael Schools
San Domenico School (San Anselmo)
As a K–12 day and international boarding school (the only boarding school in Marin County!), San Domenico offers a 515-acre campus with a broad range of academic, creative, and athletic opportunities, focusing on purpose-driven learning to cultivate future change-makers. Learn more here.
GATE Academy (San Rafael)
GATE Academy emphasizes an inquiry-based learning approach, encouraging students to become creators of knowledge through hands-on activities. The school fosters deep, reflective thinking and a passion for understanding. Learn more here.
Mark Day School (San Rafael)
Established in 1980, Mark Day School offers a K–8 education with spacious classrooms, an amphitheater, a Creativity Lab, and a two-story library. The school focuses on providing a high-quality education in a nurturing environment. Learn more here.
Marin Academy (San Rafael)
A college prep high school founded in 1971. This school is located in downtown San Rafael and prides themselves on academic and co-curricular programs that push past the boundaries of traditional education. Learn more here. Listen to their podcast here.
The Mountain School (Corte Madera)
Founded in 1990, The Mountain School offers mixed-age preschool classrooms where children develop good habits through consistent routines, singing, and rituals in a nurturing environment. Learn more here.
Marin Country Day School (Corte Madera)
An independent K–8 school founded in 1956 with a focus on nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. MCDS emphasizes joyful learning, ecoliteracy, global awareness, and a comprehensive curriculum that blends academics with art, music, outdoor education, and wellness. Learn more here.
Schools for Learning Differences
The Helix School (San Rafael)
Dedicated to children and young adults aged 5–22 with autism and related challenges, The Helix School offers specialized curricula tailored to developmental levels, sensory processing abilities, and emotional-regulatory needs. Learn more here.
Winston Preparatory School (San Rafael)
Winston Preparatory serves students aged 8–21 with learning differences, offering individualized learning environments and daily one-to-one remediation through their innovative Focus Program. Learn more here. Learn more here.
Faith Based Schools
Marin Christian Academy (Novato)
Established in 1979 as a ministry of New Life Christian Center in Novato, this school provides a loving, faith-based environment rooted in Christian values, while maintaining high academic standards. Learn more here.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School (Novato)
Offering education from preschool to middle school, GSLS emphasizes hope, love, respect, responsibility, and compassion, welcoming students into a community committed to both academic and social development. Learn more here.
Our Lady of Loretto School (Novato)
A Tk-8th grade Catholic school founded in 1958. Their mission statement is to graduate a student who is well rounded in a spiritual, academic, emotional, physical, and independent way. Learn more here.
Marin Catholic High School (Kentfield)
A co-ed college preparatory school in Kentfield serving grades 9–12, Marin Catholic combines academic rigor with Catholic identity and a strong sense of community. The school encourages students to grow in faith and leadership while preparing for college success. Learn more here.
St. Patrick School (Larkspur)
A Catholic K–8 school with deep roots in the Larkspur community since 1963. St. Patrick’s blends tradition with modern educational enhancements, offering faith formation, strong academics, and a close-knit school environment. Learn more here.
St. Raphael School (San Rafael)
Founded in 1889, this historic Catholic K–8 school promotes academic excellence, a commitment to service, and a school culture guided by gospel values. The community prioritizes respect, health, and parent-school partnership. Learn more here.
Montessori & Waldorf Schools
Corte Madera Montessori (Corte Madera)
With primary classrooms for children aged 3–5, this school provides a nurturing environment where Montessori-certified teachers guide students to discover their love of learning through self-directed efforts. Learn more here.
Marin Montessori School (Corte Madera)
Serving children aged 18 months to 15 years, Marin Montessori empowers students to learn by doing, tackle real-life challenges, and ignite their passions through ownership of their learning journey. Learn more here.
Montessori de Terra Linda School (San Rafael)
Offering education from preschool through 6th grade, this school features mixed-age classrooms where children experience various roles, fostering a supportive community for both students and their families. Learn more here.
Marin Waldorf School (San Rafael)
For over 50 years, Marin Waldorf School has provided education from preschool through 8th grade on a 10-acre campus, aiming to develop conscious, creative, and innovative individuals capable of shaping the future. Learn more here.
Bonus – Heartwood Charter School (Fairfax)
This is actually a little known and free public charter school open to children in Marin County. They are a nature-based Waldorf school that offer both in person and home school teachings. Learn more here.
Choosing the right private school in Marin County involves considering various factors, including educational philosophy, class sizes, extracurricular offerings, and support for diverse learning needs. Each of these institutions provides unique programs designed to foster academic excellence and personal growth, ensuring that families can find the best fit for their children’s educational journey.