Best Schools in Marin County: Public vs. Private Guide

Best Schools in Marin County: Public vs. Private Guide

Best Schools in Marin County: How to Choose Between Public and Private

If you're moving to Marin County from San Francisco, or you already live here and your kids are entering a transition year, you've probably asked yourself: should we stick with public school, or go private?

The short answer is that most families can get a great education in Marin County public schools. Marin County schools are among the best in California, and several districts, including Ross, Kentfield, Reed Union in Tiburon, and Mill Valley, rank near the top of the state. While there is a strong selection of public schools, choosing a private school in Marin County is also a great option when considering fit, class size, and more specific approaches to learning.

If private school is on the table, timing matters. Many Marin private schools have application deadlines in January for the following fall, with tours, interviews, and visits happening in the months before. Families who start looking in the fall have the most options.

With so many strong options, the decision is more personal here than in a lot of places. Below, we break down what each path offers, what to think about before you choose, and some of the best public and private schools in Marin by town and type, including key deadlines.

What Do Marin County Public Schools Offer?

Top-rated schools close to home. Many of the top-rated elementary schools in Marin County hold 9 or 10 out of 10 GreatSchools.org ratings. Ross School posts 90% math and 89% English proficiency across grades. Bacich Elementary in Kentfield, Bel Aire in Tiburon, and Hidden Valley in San Anselmo all rank among the top schools in California.

Well-funded extras. Parent foundations are a big part of Marin public schools. They pay for art, music, theater, science labs, and gardens that many private schools offer, and that many public schools in other areas can't fund.

Small school districts with a community feel. Marin is made up of small towns, and many Marin County school districts have only one to five schools. Ross runs a single K-8 school. Kentfield has two, Mill Valley has five. In many cases, your kids will go to school with the same neighbors from kindergarten through 8th grade.

A clear path to high school. Most Marin towns feed into one of three public high schools in the Tamalpais Union High School District: Tamalpais High, Redwood High, or Archie Williams High. All three have been named California Distinguished Schools, and Tam and Redwood both hold 10/10 GreatSchools ratings.

No tuition. The money a family might spend on private tuition can go toward a home in a stronger school district, college savings, or simply more breathing room.

Why Choose a Private School in Marin County?

With public schools this strong, families who choose private schools in Marin County usually have a specific reason. The most common ones we hear are:

Smaller classes. Many Marin public schools run around 19 to 23 students per teacher. K-8 schools like Marin Country Day are closer to 8:1, and Branson High School is 8:1. For kids who do better with more one-on-one attention, that difference is real.

A different way of teaching. Independent schools in Marin County are often built around project-based, hands-on learning. Some kids thrive in these settings in a way they don't in a traditional classroom with a state-mandated curriculum. For families who want religion to be part of the school day, Catholic schools in Marin County include St. Hilary, St. Patrick, St. Anselm, and Marin Catholic High School, though many non-religious families attend and love these schools too. And for a bilingual, French-English education from early childhood, Lycee Francais has a Sausalito campus.

Continuity from San Francisco. Families coming from an SF independent school sometimes want a similar experience in Marin. Some Marin private schools, like Marin Country Day, actively enroll students from both Marin and San Francisco.

Your home isn't in your first-choice district. If the house that works for your family is outside the public district you wanted, private school can close that gap.

Public vs. Private School in Marin: What to Consider

There's no right answer for every family. These are the questions we'd ask first.

1. Where do you want to live? In Marin, your address determines your public school. If public school is the plan, choose the district first and the house second. If you're open to private, you have more flexibility on where you buy.

2. What does your child need? Think about how your child learns, not just test scores. A child who needs more structure, more attention, or a different pace may do better in a smaller setting. One who loves being part of a big neighborhood group may be happiest at the local public school.

3. How does the commute look? Most Marin schools are car-dependent. A private school across the county can mean two drives a day in pick-up and drop-off traffic. A walkable neighborhood school, like Old Mill in Mill Valley or St. Patrick in Larkspur, can make daily life a lot simpler.

4. What's the timeline? Private schools have application deadlines, often in the winter for the next fall, plus interviews and visits. Public enrollment is usually simpler, but you need to live in the district. If you're moving mid-year, plan ahead.

5. Can you mix public and private? Many Marin families go public for elementary and middle school, then look at private for high school, or the other way around. Keep in mind that switching schools may affect friend groups if your child moves from public to private or vice versa.

6. Is private school worth the cost in Marin? The current average tuition of private schools in Marin County is $29,016, according to PrivateSchoolReview.com. With all of the above considered, evaluate the annual tuition cost of your target private schools to decide if private school is worth it in Marin.

A Note on IEPs and Learning Support

If your child has a learning difference, the way each school handles support can shape the whole public vs. private decision.

What is an IEP? An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal plan that spells out the services, goals, and accommodations a student with a qualifying disability will receive. It's created by a team that includes parents, teachers, and specialists, and it's reviewed every year.

At public schools, IEPs are required. Under federal law, every public school must identify, evaluate, and support eligible students at no cost to families. That includes all of the public schools on this list. If your child qualifies, the district must provide the services in their IEP, such as speech therapy, resource support, or classroom accommodations. Students who don't need special education but still need accommodations may qualify for a 504 plan instead.

On the other hand, private schools aren't required to create or follow IEPs. If you move a child with an IEP to a private school, those legal protections don't transfer. That said, many private schools offer their own learning support, like small classes, learning specialists, or flexible pacing, and some are built around students who learn differently. The level of support varies a lot from school to school.

You can still get some public services. Students enrolled in private school can be evaluated by the public school district where the private school is located. Eligible students may receive a limited set of services through an Individual Service Plan (ISP), though it's usually less than what an IEP provides.

Best Public Schools in Marin County

The public schools listed below are mainly in Southern and Central Marin, in towns like Mill Valley, Tiburon, Ross, and San Anselmo. If you have questions about schools in San Rafael, Novato, West Marin, or beyond, reach out to the Outpost team any time. Chances are we know someone who can tell you what a school is really like.

Tiburon and Belvedere Schools: Reed Union School District

Reed Union School District, ranked in the top 5% of all 1,925 districts in California. Feeds into Redwood High School.

Reed Elementary School - Public (K-2)

Address: 1199 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

Every Tiburon student starts at Reed. It's a small primary school with a strong academic foundation and a reputation for outstanding parent involvement. The Reed Foundation funds arts and learning programs many public schools can't offer. Named a California Distinguished School in 2002.

Bel Aire Elementary School - Public (3-5)

Address: 277 Karen Way, Tiburon

Bel Aire picks up where Reed leaves off, and the two schools work as one pipeline. Math proficiency runs at 76% and English at 78%, both well above state averages. Named a California Distinguished School in 2000.

Del Mar Middle School - Public (6-8)

Address: 105 Avenida Miraflores, Tiburon

The only middle school in the Reed Union District, serving all students from Tiburon and Belvedere. Math proficiency is 81% and English is 84%, ranking it among the top 5% of middle schools in California.

Mill Valley Schools: Mill Valley School District

Mill Valley School District: five elementary schools feeding into one middle school. Feeds into Tamalpais High School.

Edna Maguire Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley

A strong community following and parent foundation support. The campus was fully rebuilt a few years ago and sits on several acres with playing fields, organic gardens, and even chickens.

Old Mill Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 352 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley

Near the heart of downtown Mill Valley and one of the most walkable schools in the district. Consistently among the top-ranked elementary schools in California.

Park Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 360 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley

Strong academics with active parent involvement and foundation funding. Families in Sycamore Park love being able to walk their kids to school.

Strawberry Point Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 117 East Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley

Located in the Strawberry area just outside Mill Valley proper, with consistently strong test scores.

Tamalpais Valley Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 350 Bell Lane, Mill Valley

Serves the Tam Valley community south of downtown. Well-regarded and feeds smoothly into Mill Valley Middle.

Mill Valley Middle School - Public (6-8)

Address: 425 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley

A multiple-time California Distinguished School serving students from all five Mill Valley elementary schools.

Sausalito Schools: Sausalito Marin City School District

Sausalito Marin City School District. Feeds into Tamalpais High School.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy (formerly Bayside MLK Academy) - Public (TK-8)

Address: 636 Nevada St, Sausalito

A small Title I school serving Sausalito and Marin City, with small class sizes and a close-knit campus. The school has worked to close achievement gaps and serves a more diverse student body than most Marin schools.

Kentfield and Greenbrae Schools: Kentfield School District

Kentfield School District, a small two-school district. Feeds into Redwood High School.

Anthony G. Bacich Elementary - Public (K-4)

Address: 699 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield

One of the most consistently high-scoring elementary schools in Marin, with 77% math and 73% English proficiency. A California Distinguished School. Parent reviews often compare it to the best private schools in the county.

Kent Middle School - Public (5-8)

Address: 800 College Avenue, Kentfield

A four-time California Distinguished School serving all Kentfield and Greenbrae students coming out of Bacich.

Ross Schools: Ross School District

Ross School District, a single-school district. Feeds mainly into Redwood High School, with Archie Williams and Tamalpais High also available.

Ross School - Public (K-8)

Address: 9 Lagunitas Road, Ross

Many families move to Ross specifically for this one-school district, serving Ross and parts of Kentfield. With a smaller student body and student-to-teacher ratio than many Marin schools, it has an unusually personal feel for a public school. Math proficiency is 90% and English is 89%, among the highest in Marin County.

Larkspur and Corte Madera Schools: Larkspur-Corte Madera School District

Larkspur-Corte Madera School District. Feeds into Redwood High School.

Neil Cummins Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 58 Mohawk Avenue, Corte Madera

The main elementary school for the district, with above-average performance compared to California public schools. A California Distinguished School.

Henry C. Hall Middle School - Public (6-8)

Address: 200 Doherty Drive, Larkspur

The only middle school in the district, serving Larkspur and Corte Madera. Located on the same street as Redwood High.

San Anselmo and Fairfax Schools: Ross Valley School District

Ross Valley School District. Feeds into Archie Williams High School.

Wade Thomas Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 150 Ross Avenue, San Anselmo

A four-time California Distinguished School and ranked in the top 5% of all public schools in California. Math proficiency at 84% and English at 89%. The parent foundation funds fine arts, music, theater, and poetry.

Hidden Valley Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 46 Green Valley Court, San Anselmo

Consistently strong test scores with 77% math proficiency, ranking in the top 5% of California elementary schools. A quieter, more residential campus.

Brookside Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 116 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

Uses project-based learning as its core approach, a good public option for families drawn to that style of teaching. Named a California Distinguished School in 2025.

Manor Elementary - Public (K-5)

Address: 150 Oak Manor Drive, Fairfax

Fairfax's only neighborhood elementary school in the Ross Valley School District, with a small, close-knit community. Also supports English language learners and offers YMCA after-school care.

White Hill Middle School - Public (6-8)

Address: 101 Glen Drive, Fairfax

The only middle school in the Ross Valley School District, serving students from all four elementary schools. 63% math and 77% English proficiency.

Best High Schools in Marin County: Tamalpais Union High School District

All three are part of the Tamalpais Union High School District and have been named California Distinguished Schools.

Tamalpais High School - Public (9-12)

Address: 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley

Serves: Mill Valley, Sausalito

Founded in 1908, Tam offers AP courses, engineering and applied technology coursework through Project Lead The Way, and a Global Studies program with international travel. The graduation rate is 99%.

Redwood High School - Public (9-12)

Address: 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur

Serves: Tiburon, Belvedere, Kentfield, Greenbrae, Ross, Larkspur, Corte Madera

A 99% graduation rate and an average SAT of 1350. Notable alumni include Robin Williams and Gary Fisher.

Archie Williams High School - Public (9-12)

Address: 1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo

Serves: San Anselmo, Fairfax, and nearby communities

Formerly Sir Francis Drake High School, renamed in 2020. Ranked in the top 20% of California high schools.

Best Private Schools in Marin County

All deadlines below are for the 2027/28 school year.

Independent Schools in Marin County (K-8)

Marin Country Day School - Private (K-8)

Address: 5221 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera

One of the most respected independent K-8 schools in the Bay Area, with 600 students on a 35-acre campus. Project-based learning and a strong outdoor education program. Founded in 1956 and committed to enrolling an equal number of students from Marin and San Francisco, which makes it a natural fit for SF families.

Marin Horizon School - Private (PK-8)

Address: 305 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley

Known for its project-based, inquiry-driven approach, small class sizes, and focus on critical thinking. A good option for families looking for an alternative to a traditional classroom.

Mount Tamalpais School - Private (PK-8)

Address: 100 Harvard Avenue, Mill Valley

A smaller independent school with a close-knit feel, known for supporting each student in a low-pressure but academically sound setting.

Marin Primary and Middle School - Private (PK-8)

Address: 20 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur

About 294 students, known for small classes, strong arts integration, and a nurturing environment from preschool through 8th grade.

Mark Day School - Private (K-8)

Address: 39 Trellis Drive, San Rafael

An independent K-8 school founded in 1980 with about 380 students. Known for a challenging academic program and a kind, close-knit community. Offers support for students with ADD/ADHD.

San Domenico School - Private (K-12)

Address: 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

California's oldest independent school, founded in 1850, serving about 680 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Its lower and middle school (K-8) share the campus with the high school, so families can stay at one school all the way through graduation.

Catholic Schools in Marin County (K-8)

St. Hilary School - Private (K-8)

Address: 765 Hilary Drive, Tiburon

A co-ed Catholic school with a whole-child approach, pairing strong academics with spiritual growth. A recent campus upgrade added a MakerSpace, performing arts space, and media lab. About 152 students.

St. Patrick School - Private (K-8)

Address: 120 King Street, Larkspur

A co-ed Catholic school with about 247 students and a long history in Larkspur. Curriculum follows Archdiocese of San Francisco standards, with strong parent involvement.

St. Anselm School - Private (K-8)

Address: 40 Belle Avenue, San Anselmo

A Catholic school with deep roots in San Anselmo, a small community feel, and a long track record in the Ross Valley.

Private High Schools in Marin County

The Branson School - Private (9-12)

Address: 39 Fernhill Avenue, Ross

One of the best-known private high schools in the Bay Area. A co-ed college prep school with about 420 students. Notable alumni include Julia Child.

Marin Catholic High School - Private (9-12)

Address: 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield

A co-ed Catholic college prep school with around 800 students, 28 varsity sports, and a strong AP program.

Marin Academy High School - Private (9-12)

Address: 1600 Mission Avenue, San Rafael

One of the most competitive private high schools in the Bay Area. A co-ed college prep school with about 450 students, founded in 1971. Known for its student research program and outdoor learning trips.

San Domenico School - Private (K-12)

Address: 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

California's oldest independent school, founded in 1850, serving about 680 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Its high school is the only day and boarding program of its kind in the Bay Area, with students from across the region and more than 20 countries.

Language Immersion Schools

Lycee Francais de San Francisco - Private (PK-5, Sausalito campus)

Address: 330 Golden Gate Ave, Sausalito

A French immersion school with campuses in Sausalito and San Francisco, offering a bilingual, multicultural education from early childhood. A strong option for SF families already connected to LFSF.

Moving to Marin County from San Francisco with Kids

For families moving to Marin with kids, the choice between private and public school can be more complex. Many parents go private while living in San Francisco due to unpredictable public school assignments, whereas in Marin, that's rarely the case. If you live in the district, your child goes to that district's schools.

With this in mind, the shift from SF private school to Marin public school changes the tuition conversation. The same budget that covers SF private tuition can go a long way toward a home in Ross, Kentfield, Tiburon, or Mill Valley, with a top public school down the street. That said, some SF families keep their kids in private school after the move, either to stay with a school they love or to find a similar fit in Marin.

Marin County School District Boundaries and Home Values

In Marin, school district boundaries and home values are closely linked. Ross real estate, Kentfield homes, and homes in Tiburon see strong buyer demand in part because of their public schools. Mill Valley real estate, Larkspur homes, and San Anselmo real estate follow that same pattern.

For many families, schools are the biggest reason for living in Marin, and they are often the first question a Marin home buyer asks us. If you're buying a home in Marin and public school is the plan, it's worth knowing the exact school district boundaries before you make an offer. Marin's micro-markets and school zoning come in tandem, making it crucial to understand how your target home's neighborhood falls into Marin's public school system.

Talk to a Marin Real Estate Team That Knows the Schools

Ratings and stats are useful, but the best way to know if a school fits your child is to talk with someone who's been there. Our kids, along with friends' and clients' kids, have gone to most of these schools, both public and private.

If you're buying a home in Marin and want to talk through public vs. private, school boundaries, or the best Marin towns for your family, reach out to the Outpost team any time. As local experts in Marin County real estate, we can even introduce you to parents at the schools you're considering to gain further insight on matters that are important to you and your family.

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