Located approximately twenty-nine miles north of San Francisco, Novato is the northernmost city in Marin County. If you are looking for a home in Novato, it is important to consider the school system and find a school that is a good fit for the needs of your child and your family. In addition to the public school system, Novato has a number of private schools. The College of Marin also has a campus in Novato.
Novato Unified School District serves northern Marin County, grades Kindergarten through 12. It includes eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two traditional high schools. Novato Unified supervises the only Independent Study program in Marin County, a magnet school, and two charter schools. Novato Unified also administers Marin Oaks High, an alternative school.
1 Main Gate Road
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4691
Grades K-5
Hamilton Elementary School is located on the historic former site of Hamilton Air Force Base. Its diverse student population achieved an API of 819, exceeding the statewide goal of 800, and surpassing the 2006 schoolwide growth target of 800.
399 Alameda de la Loma
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4681
Grades K-5
The campus of Loma Verde Elementary School is in southern Novato. Loma Verde Elementary offers a free five-week summer program called Kinder Academy, which is designed to help incoming Kindergarteners acclimate to the school environment. This program is open to all incoming Kindergarten students with priority given to children with no preschool experience. Loma Verde Elementary was designated as a California Distinguished School in 1998.
1800 Center Road
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3196
Grades K-5
Lu Sutton Elementary's facilities include a multi-use room, library, computer lab, and turfed playing fields. With a 2006 Academic Performance Index (API) of 790, Lu Sutton Elementary School ranks 2 (on a scale of 1-10) in comparison to schools with similar demographic profiles.
1320 Lynwood Drive
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-4161
Grades K-5
Lynwood Elementary School teaches curriculum set by the State of California, focusing on the State Standards. Childcare is available on campus through a private childcare provider. See the school's website for current details. In 1987 Lynwood Elementary was honored by being selected as a California Distinguished School.
629 Plum Street
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-2131
Grades K-5
Olive Elementary School is a neighborhood school, serving students through 5th grade. Resources include a school library and a computer lab equipped with 30 iMacs with networking capability. Olive Elementary School has an "Early Bird / Late Bird" program with staggered beginning/ending times for grades 1 and 2.
755 Sutro Ave
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-5104
Grades K-5
Pleasant Valley Elementary School is a highly ranked school located at the north end of the city of Novato. With an API of 914, it ranks 9 (out of 10) among schools with similar student backgrounds. Pleasant Valley School has been designated as a California Distinguished School three times, most recently in 2002.
1430 Johnson Street
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3101
Grades K-5
Rancho Elementary School is a magnet school and has an enrollment policy open to all Novato residents. Applications for enrollment in grades 1-5 are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis only after parents have participated in a school tour. Enrollment for Kindergarten is decided by lottery. Rancho Elementary School offers a variety of after school programs, which may include Chess Club, Art, Computers, Spanish, and sports. Rancho Elementary School earned the California Distinguished School award in 1989.
45 San Ramon Way
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-1196
Grades K-8
With a student body that includes grades Kindergarten through 8, San Ramon Elementary is a two-time California Distinguished School award winner, the most recent being in 2000. San Ramon has a number of enrichment programs designed to extend learning and encourage community involvement.
940 C Street
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4254
Grades K-8
Novato Charter School admits students in grades Kindergarten through 8. Applications are accepted during an open enrollment period. If there are more applications than spaces available in any grade level, a lottery will determine acceptance. Novato Charter School's curriculum integrates Waldorf inspired methods with current best educational practices and State Standards
720 Diablo Ave
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 893-1557
Grades: 6-8
Hill Middle School is a two-time winner of the California Distinguished School award. The school facilities include a multi-purpose room, gym, computer labs, and media center.
1000 Sunset Parkway
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-7831
Grades: 6-8
San Jose Middle School is located in southern Novato near the Indian Valley Campus of the College of Marin. A number of programs including Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Resource, and after school support classes for students needing extra help supports the diverse student body. San Jose Middle School is a California Distinguished School, having earned the honor in 1996 and again in 2003.
2045 Vineyard
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-2111
Grades: 6-8
Congratulations to Sinaloa Middle School for being identified as a 2007 California Distinguished School! Sinaloa also was awarded this honor in 2003. The majority of students attending Sinaloa Middle School come from San Ramon and Pleasant Valley elementary schools, with the balance from Lu Sutton and Rancho. Most Sinaloa graduates attend San Marin High School.
625 Arthur Street
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 898-2125
Grades: 9-12
Novato High School is a comprehensive high school located in the center of Novato. Facilities at Novato High include two gymnasiums, a lecture hall & performing arts center, computer labs, a music room, a football stadium, and a swimming pool. The 38-acre campus is also home to Marin Oaks Alternative and the Marin School of the Arts, an arts based magnet school.
15 San Marin Drive
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 898-2121
Grades: 9-12
San Marin High School is a comprehensive public high school, offering a college preparatory curriculum. San Marin High offers many extracurricular activities, including special interest clubs, sports, and performing arts . The music and drama departments have received numerous awards and students have performed at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, in Australia, Canada, New Orleans, and Disneyland.
740 Diablo Ave
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-7653
NOVA Independent Study program serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12 and is the only independent study program in Marin County. With the assistance of NOVA, students and parents can individualize learning programs and access standards-based resources. NOVA is accredited with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
In addition to the public school choices, there are a variety of private schools in Novato.
84 Martin Drive
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 472-3009
Big Rock Sudbury School
Grades: K-12
Type: nonsectarian
Big Rock Sudbury School takes a nontraditional approach to education; students are encouraged to initiate learning by following their natural curiosity and interests. Students have rights and responsibilities and have a voice equal to the staff in the government of the school. The organization of the school is based on democratic principles.
Box 950
Novato, CA 94948
(415) 892-5713
Grades: Preschool-9
Type: Christian
Marin Christian Academy is a coeducational day school affiliated with the Assembly of God.
1180 Lynwood Drive
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-2510
Grades: Preschool-5
Type: Christian
Good Shepherd Lutheran School has a preschool program and an elementary program. The Kindergarten through 5th grade curriculum includes instrumental music, Spanish, art, and drama. All K - 5 teachers are credentialed.
P.O. Box 1552
Novato, CA 94948
(415) 898-5915
Grades: 1-12
Type: Christian
Living Epistle is a small, nondenominational, coeducational Christian school.
1370 South Novato Boulevard
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 892-5713
Grades: Preschool-8
Type: Christian
Marin Christian Academy is a coeducational, Christian elementary/middle school. Before and after school childcare is available, as is a preschool (Noah's Ark Preschool).
6965 Redwood Blvd
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 892-8921
Grades: K-12
Type: Christian
North Bay Christian Academy is an evangelical Christian school. Parents' involvement and support of the school is a crucial part of the program. Parents are required to complete 60 parent service hours per semester.
495 San Marin Dr
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 892-3375
Grades: 1-8
Type: Seventh-Day Adventist
Novato Christian School is a small, coeducational Seventh-Day Adventist school.
1811 Virginia Ave
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 892-8621
Grades: K-8
Type: Christian
Our Lady of Loretto School is a Catholic elementary/middle school. The curriculum includes daily religion instruction, core academic instruction, physical education, music & art, and technology (computers). A before and after school childcare program is available.
The College of Marin has a campus located in Novato.
Indian Valley Campus
1800 Ignacio Blvd
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 457-8811
Community College
You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more. If you’re a renter, you’re likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those ...
Read MoreThe spring housing market has been surprisingly active this year. Even with affordability challenges and a limited number of homes for sale, buyer demand is strong, and getting stronger. One way we know there are interested buyers right now is ...
Read MoreIf you’re following the news today, you may feel a bit unsure about what’s happening with home prices and fear whether or not the worst is yet to come. That’s because today’s headlines are painting an unnecessarily ...
Read MoreWhy Today’s Housing Market Is Not About To Crash There’s been some concern lately that the housing market is headed for a crash. And given some of the affordability challenges in the housing market, along with a lot of recession ...
Read MoreDownsizing has long been a popular option when homeowners reach retirement age. But there are plenty of other life changes that could make downsizing worthwhile. Homeowners who have experienced a change in their lives or no longer feel like ...
Read More
