San Rafael Schools

San Rafael is located 12 miles north of San Francisco and is Marin County's oldest city. With fifteen public schools and more than ten private schools, San Rafael offers many educational choices to the prospective homebuyer, including one private school that is certified as "Green" by the County of Marin. Dominican University of California is also located in San Rafael.

San Rafael Public Schools

The vibrant and multicultural community of San Rafael is served by two school districts.

San Rafael City Schools administers six elementary schools, one middle school, a combination elementary/middle school, two comprehensive high schools, a continuation high school, and an independent study high school.

Dixie School District oversees four schools: Dixie Elementary, Mary Silveira Elementary, Miller Creek Middle School, and Vallecito Elementary. High school students in the Dixie School District attend Terra Linda High School (which is part of the San Rafael City Schools district).

Bahia Vista Elementary School

125 Bahia Way
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2415

Website: Bahia Vista School

Grades: K-5

Bahia Vista School is located in southeast San Rafael. It has a multicultural student body, many of whom are English language learners. Bahia Vista Elementary School provides on-site services that offer additional educational support, recreational activities, and childcare to students and their families.

Coleman Elementary School

800 Belle Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2420

Website: Coleman School

Grades: K-5

Coleman Elementary School serves the Dominican neighborhood and downtown San Rafael. Among the attractions on the campus is an enrichment center, which includes a large multipurpose room with a stage, a music room, and art/science room, and a large kitchen. Coleman School offers childcare, after school enrichment classes, and family support services.

Dixie Elementary School

1175 Idylberry Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3730

Website: Dixie Elementary School

Grades: K-5

Dixie Elementary is located in the rolling hills of the Lucas Valley. Dixie School has earned the distinction of being named a California Distinguished School in 2002 and a National Blue Ribbon School in 2004. The City of San Rafael maintains a childcare facility on the campus of Dixie School.

Glenwood Elementary School

25 West Castlewood Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2430

Website: Glenwood School

Grades: K-5

In 1998 Glenwood was named a California Distinguished School. It has also earned the distinction of being a National Blue Ribbon School. Glenwood School had a 2006 API of 919, which placed it in the top 10% of schools with a comparable grade range.

Laurel Dell Elementary School

225 Woodland Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2317

Website: Laurel Dell School

Grades: K-5

Laurel Dell is a small school that serves families from the Brete Harte, Picnic Hill, and East Gerstle Park neighborhoods. After school activities, including tutoring, are offered through grant funding.

Mary E. Silveira Elementary School

375 Blackstone Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3741

Website: Mary Silveira School

Grades: K-5

Mary E. Silveira was named a California Distinguished School in 2000. After school classes are offered and include chess, cooking, dance, art, and Spanish lessons. Daycare for students at the school is provided through San Rafael Community Services.

San Pedro Elementary School

498 Point San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2450

Website: San Pedro School

Grades: K-5

San Pedro Elementary School serves a diverse cross-section of students living in the communities east of Highway 101 and the area south of the San Rafael Canal. After school programs are available through grant funding.

Sun Valley Elementary School

75 Happy Lane
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2440

Website: Sun Valley School

Grades: K-5

Sun Valley Elementary School was named a California Distinguished School in 1997. Sun Valley Elementary is located in the western end of San Rafael, adjacent to rolling hills and open spaces. Sun Valley students scored above the state average in all proficiency areas on state standards tests in 2006.

Vallecito School

50 Nova Albion Way
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3750

Website: Vallecito School

Grades: K-5

Vallecito School is an award winning school located in the Terra Linda area of San Rafael. It was designated as a California Distinguished School in 1993 and again in 2006. Vallecito School ranks in the top 10% of California schools having a similar grade range. After school care of offered through the City of San Rafael Community Services on a fee basis.

Venetia Valley School

177 North San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3150

Website: Venetia Valley School

Grades: K-8

Formerly called Gallinas School, the recently renovated Venetia Valley School is located about two blocks away from the Civic Center and serves the communities of Los Ranchitos and Santa Venetia. In addition to the core curriculum, students in grades 6-8 are offered physical education, band, technology, and drama classes. Gallinas School was named a California Distinguished School in 1995.

Davidson Middle School

280 Woodland Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2400

Website: Davidson Middle School

Grades: 6-8

Davidson Middle School serves students entering from Bahia Vista, Coleman, Glenwood, Laurel Dell, San Pedro, and Sun Valley Elementary schools. Davidson was named a California Distinguished School three times, in 1988, 1990, and 1994.

Miller Creek Middle School

2255 Las Gallinas Ave
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3760

Website: Miller Creek Middle School

Grades: 6-8

Located in the Lucas Valley area, Miller Creek Middle School upholds rigorous academic standards and has been named a California Distinguished School three times, most recently in 2005. Modernization of the campus was completed in 2001. The Miller Creek Home and School Club supports many school-wide enrichment activities.

San Rafael High School

185 Mission Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2330

Website: San Rafael High School

Grades: 9-12

San Rafael High School is located in central San Rafael. The curriculum at San Rafael includes college preparatory instruction, with honors/advanced placement in the academic disciplines. San Rafael High School also offers courses in technology, business, industrial arts, and other vocations.

Terra Linda High School

320 Nova Albion Way
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 492-3100

Website: Terra Linda High

Grades: 9-12

In 2005, Terra Linda High School was designated as a California Distinguished School. Terra Linda High offers a variety of elective classes, advanced placement classes, and enrichment programs that provide students with access to a well rounded education. Vocational programs are offered as well. Over 90% of graduates enter post-secondary educational institutions.

Madrone Continuation High School

150 Lovell Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 485-2435

Website: Madrone Continuation

Grades: 10-12

Madrone Continuation High School offers alternative secondary education. Athletic and physical education facilities are shared with San Rafael High, but Madrone operates separately. Students may earn a diploma at Madrone or reintegrate with the comprehensive high school program.

Oracle Independent Study

4380 Redwood Highway
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 491-0792

Website: Oracle Independent Study

Grades: 9-12

Oracle is an independent study program designed for students whose needs cannot be met in a traditional classroom environment. A special curriculum is offered and concurrent enrollment in community college or ROP is encouraged.

San Rafael Private Schools

San Rafael is home to some of the finest private schools in Marin County.

Brandeis Hillel Day School

180 North San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 472-1833

Website: Brandeis Hillel Day School

Grades: K-8

Type: Jewish

Brandeis Hillel Day School is a Jewish day school, which shares its campus with the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, and Congregation Rodef Sholom. The modern facility includes classrooms for grades Kindergarten through eight, computer & science labs, swimming pools, and a library/multimedia center.

Dunham Academy

1 St. Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 491-4700

Website: Dunham Academy

Grades: K-8

Type: Nonsectarian

Dunham Academy is on the St. Vincent campus. It is designed to meet the needs of academically talented students. The Academy operates on a year-round basis, and is opened extended hours as a convenience to parents who must work early or late. Admission is competitive.

Leebil Learning Center

1411 Lincoln Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 454-6618

Grades: 7-12

Type: Nonsectarian

Leebil Learning Center is a special education school serving students with a variety of learning disabilities.

Marin Academy

1600 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 453-4550

Website: Marin Academy

Grades: 9-12

Type: Nonsectarian

Marin Academy is a coeducational, academically rigorous, college preparatory high school located in San Rafael. Campus facilities include two theaters, a visual arts center, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, and an all-weather synthetic playing field. Marin Academy has a comprehensive academic program. Completion of 3 years of a world language is a graduation requirement, and language choices include courses in French, Spanish, and Japanese. Over 99% of Marin Academy students attend four-year colleges, including Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and UC Berkeley. The County of Marin has certified Marin Academy High School as a Green Business.

Marin Waldorf School

755 Idylberry Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 479-8190

Website: Marin Waldorf School

Grades: PreK-8

Type: Waldorf

Waldorf education offers a complex and diverse program. In the Marin Waldorf School, students remain with their teacher throughout the grades. The classes are basically ungraded until late middle school. Although there is no standardized testing, seventh grade students at Marin Waldorf begin practicing for SSAT placement. There are no computers or video aids in the classrooms.

Montessori de Terra Linda

620 Del Ganado Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 479-7373

Website: Montessori de Terra Linda

Grades: PreK-6

Type: Montessori

Montessori de Terra Linda is associated with the Association Montessori Internationale. There are three primary classes in the Monatessori de Terra Linda School. Each primary class spans a 3 year period, with the 3rd year being what would normally be the child's Kindergarten year. Children move on to the elementary program that is divided into two multi-age classes. The lower group is for 6 to 9 year olds. The upper elementary class includes children from 9 to 12.

Saint Isabella Elementary School

1 Trinity Way
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 479-3727

Website: St. Isabella Elementary

Grades: K-8

Type: Christian/Catholic

St. Isabella's integrates technology into the curriculum throughout the grades. Extended Day offers all students before and after school care that has planned activities, including a nutritious snack, sports, games, art, crafts, and homework time.

Saint Marks School

39 Trellis Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 472-8000

Website: St. Marks School

Grades: K-8

Type: Nonsectarian

St. Marks School, located in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael, is a nonsectarian, coeducational elementary/middle school. St. Marks offers a challenging academic program, coupled with character development — as are reflected in the Seven Pillars of Character: honesty, caring, fairness, responsibility, courage, respect, and citizenship.

Saint Raphael School

1100 Fifth Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: (415) 454-4455

Website: St. Raphael School

Grades: K-8

Type: Christian/Catholic

St. Raphael School is a fully accredited Catholic elementary school located in downtown San Rafael. St. Raphael meets the Standards required by the state of California in addition to teaching a program including religion, as directed by the Department of Catholic Schools through the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Timothy Murphy School

1 St. Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 499-7616

Website: Timothy Murphy School

Grades: 2-12

Type: Special Education, Boys

Timothy Murphy School provides special education services to boys ages 7 to 18 years of age. It is, predominately, a residential program, although some day students are accepted. Terra Linda High School provides integration for students ready to reenter a public school environment.


San Rafael is also home to the campus of the Dominican University of California, an independent Catholic university.