Novato Schools

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 Public Schools

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.

 

Hamilton Meadow Park Elementary School

1 Main Gate Road

Novato, CA 94949

(415) 883-4691

Hamilton Elementary

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.

 

Loma Verde Elementary School

399 Alameda de la Loma

Novato, CA 94949

(415) 883-4681

Loma Verde Elementary

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. 

 

Lu Sutton Elementary School

1800 Center Road

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-3196

Lu Sutton Elementary

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.

 

Lynwood Elementary School

1320 Lynwood Drive

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-4161

Lynwood Elementary

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.

 

Olive Elementary School

629 Plum Street

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 897-2131

Olive Elementary

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.

 

Pleasant Valley Elementary School

755 Sutro Ave

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-5104

Pleasant Valley Elementary

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.

 

Rancho Elementary School

1430 Johnson Street

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-3101

Rancho Elementary

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.

 

San Ramon Elementary

45 San Ramon Way

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 897-1196

San Ramon Elementary

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.

 

Novato Charter School

940 C Street

Novato, CA 94949

(415) 883-4254

Novato Charter School

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

 

Hill Middle School

720 Diablo Ave

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 893-1557

Hill Middle School

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.

 

San Jose Middle School

1000 Sunset Parkway

Novato, CA 94949

(415) 883-7831

San Jose Middle School

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.

 

Sinaloa Middle School

2045 Vineyard

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 897-2111

Sinaloa Middle School

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.

 

Novato High School

625 Arthur Street

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 898-2125

Novato High School

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.

 

San Marin High School

15 San Marin Drive

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 898-2121

San Marin High School

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.

 

NOVA Education Center

740 Diablo Ave

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-7653

NOVA Independent Study

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.

 

Private Schools

In addition to the public school choices, there are a variety of private schools in Novato.

Big Rock Sudbury School

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.

 

Marin Christian Academy

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.

Marin Christian Academy

 

Good Shepherd Lutheran School

1180 Lynwood Drive

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 897-2510

Good Shepherd Lutheran School

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.

 

Living Epistle Christian School

P.O. Box 1552

Novato, CA 94948

(415) 898-5915

Grades: 1-12

Type: Christian

Living Epistle is a small, nondenominational, coeducational Christian school.

 

Marin Christian Academy

1370 South Novato Boulevard

Novato, CA 94947

(415) 892-5713

Marin Christian Academy

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).

 

North Bay Christian Academy

6965 Redwood Blvd

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 892-8921

North Bay Christian Academy

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.

 

Novato SDA Christian School

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.

 

Our Lady of Loretto School

1811 Virginia Ave

Novato, CA 94945

(415) 892-8621

Our Lady of Loretto

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.

College of Marin

Indian Valley Campus

1800 Ignacio Blvd

Novato, CA 94949

(415) 457-8811

Community College