Having been named one of Sunset Magazine's "Best of the West," San Anselmo's charming downtown, sunny climate, and strong sense of community make it an attractive place to consider when looking for real estate. For many homebuyers, the quality of local schools is also an important factor in the decision making process. San Anselmo offers some fine schools, both public and private. In addition, the campus of the San Francisco Theological Seminary is located in San Anselmo.
Two public school districts serve students living in San Anselmo. Elementary and middle school students attend schools in the Ross Valley School District, and most high school students attend Sir Francis Drake High School, which is in the Tamalpais Union High School District.
Ross Valley School District provides elementary education to children from San Anselmo, Fairfax, and the surrounding unincorporated areas. Schools serving the San Anselmo area are Brookside Elementary, Manor Elementary, and White Hill Middle School.
Tamalpais Union High School District provides secondary school education to students coming from ten elementary districts in Marin County, including the Ross Valley School District. It includes three comprehensive high schools, all of which have been designated as California Distinguished Schools, and two alternative schools.
Lower Campus
116 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 453-2948
Grades: K-2
Brookside Elementary, was designated a California Distinguished School in 1995. It is housed on two separate sites, with the Butterfield Road campus serving the primary grades. The curriculum follows a "project based learning" strategy that draws from a child's inherent drive to learn by engaging students in real world projects. Childcare is available for all grade levels on the "lower" campus.
Upper Campus
46 Green Valley Court
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 454-7409
Grades: 3-5
Brookside Elementary, was designated a California Distinguished School in 1995. It is housed on two separate sites, with the Green Valley Court campus serving the upper elementary grades. The curriculum follows a "project based learning" strategy that draws from a child's inherent drive to learn by engaging students in real world projects. Childcare is available for all grade levels on the "lower" campus.
250 Oak Manor Drive
Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 453-1544
Grades: K-5
Manor Elementary School hosts the district's only MAP (Multi-age Program), which is a K-5 alternative education program. After school childcare is offered through the YMCA. Manor School also provides special support for students receiving instruction in English as a second language.
150 Ross Ave
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 454-4603
Grades: K-5
Wade Thomas Elementary was built on the site of the first school in San Anselmo. It was twice named a California Distinguished School, in 1989 and again in 1997. With a 2006 API of 938, Wade Thomas Elementary ranks in the top 10% of schools in California.
101 Glen Drive
Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 454-8390
Grades: 6-8
White Hill is the only middle school for the Ross Valley School District and serves over 600 students coming from the San Anselmo and Fairfax areas. White Hill Middle School was named a California Distinguished School in 2001.
1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 453-8770
Sir Francis Drake High School is an award winning school. It is a California Distinguished School and was identified by the U.S. Department of Education as a New American High School. Students coming from Lagunitas, Nicasio, and Ross Valley Districts attend Sir Francis Drake. The curriculum emphasizes a college preparatory program, but provides for all levels of interest and abilities.
305 Doherty Drive
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 945-3750
Grades: 9-12
Tamiscal High School is a small independent high school within the Tamalpais Union High School District. The Tamiscal curriculum offers a program that allows a high school diploma, but not necessarily the courses needed to gain entrance into a university. University entry courses such as foreign language and upper level lab sciences must be taken elsewhere.
599 William Ave
Larkspur, 94939
(415) 945-3770
Grades: 9-12
San Andreas High School offers a program for students who have difficulty in a large school setting
San Anselmo has a number of private campuses, addressing a wide range of academic needs.
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Grades: 9-12
Type: Christian/Catholic
Located on over 500 acres in Marin County, San Domenico High School is an all girls' college preparatory school. Both residential and day programs are available. Students of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Grades: preschool-8
Type: Christian/Catholic
The elementary school at San Domenico School accepts boys and girls from preschool through 8th grade. San Domenico offers a comprehensive curriculum, including private and group music lessons, to students enrolled in San Domenico as well as to children who live in the surrounding communities.
40 Belle Ave
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 454-8667
Grades: K-8
Type: Christian/Catholic
St. Anselm provides a program that educates the whole child with emphasis spiritual and personal growth. Before and after school care is available as an extended learning program.
300 Sunny Hills Drive
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 256-9312
Type: nonsectarian
Red Hill Academy is a specialized day and boarding school for adolescents ages 14 to 17 who struggle with learning differences and emotional difficulties.
Red Hill Academy combines high-quality, structured academics with individualized therapeutic treatment. Students benefit from services including educational therapy and testing, enriching after-school activities and professional mental health services.
921 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 456-8727
Grades: 1-12
Type: nonsectarian
Star Academy serves children with varied learning abilities who have special education needs and benefit from a calm environment, small class size, and specially designed learning programs.
San Francisco Theological Seminary
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 451-2800
Presbyterian Seminary
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