Marin County Schools Guide

Branson School Ross, California

Branson School in Ross

Marin County Schools Overview

One of the many reasons people decide to buy a home in Marin County is the strength of our public and private schools. Marin is widely known for exceptional education options—often regarded among the best in California, and frequently recognized on a national level as well. Families are drawn to Marin for its combination of strong academics, engaged school communities, and a wide range of public and private choices.

This website displays GreatSchools ratings on individual home search detail pages so buyers can easily compare nearby schools while exploring neighborhoods.

The California State Board of Education also offers the California School Dashboard, an important additional resource for parents. The Dashboard provides reports for local educational agencies and individual schools using multiple measures, including chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, English learner progress, graduation rate, and more. It offers a broader perspective than test scores alone.

Below you’ll find a town-by-town overview of many Marin County schools, both public and private. Please note that school districts, boundaries, programs, and enrollment requirements can change. As we view homes for sale together, we can discuss likely school assignments for a specific property. I always recommend confirming details directly with the school district for any home you’re considering.

A quick note on school ratings: While scores and rankings can be helpful, they are only one part of the picture. Over the years, I’ve spoken with many parents who felt their children thrived at schools that may not rank as highly as others in Marin. Fit, culture, support, and community matter—and Marin offers many outstanding options.

If you’re new to Marin, the Marin County Office of Education is an excellent resource for learning more about district boundaries, interdistrict transfers, and the public school system countywide.

Marin Schools by Town

Click a town name below to learn more, or visit my Marin towns overview for a guide to all Marin County communities.

Belvedere / Tiburon

Public

Private

Corte Madera / Larkspur

Public

Private

Sausalito

Public

Private

Mill Valley

Public

Private

Kentfield / Greenbrae

Public

Private

Fairfax / San Anselmo

Public

Private

San Rafael

Public

Private

Novato

Public

Private

Redwood High School Larkspur California main entrance

Which Towns Feed Which Public High Schools in Marin County

Southern Marin

In central and southern Marin County (generally south of San Rafael), there are three primary public high schools: Tamalpais High School, Redwood High School, and Archie Williams High School. Transfers within this group are generally more common than transfers to high schools farther north in San Rafael or Novato, though availability varies by year and circumstance. You can read more about interdistrict transfers here.

Tamalpais High School Attendance Area

Archie Williams High School Attendance Area

Redwood High School Attendance Area

Central Marin / San Rafael

San Rafael is served by two main districts: the San Rafael City Schools (often serving central and parts of southern San Rafael) and the Miller Creek School District (generally serving neighborhoods in the northeastern / north San Rafael, including much of the Terra Linda corridor.) Because boundaries and enrollment policies can change—and can vary even within a neighborhood—families should always confirm school assignment directly with the district for any specific address.

Miller Creek School District serves transitional kindergarten through 8th grade. Students attend Lucas Valley, Vallecito, or Mary E. Silveira Elementary Schools before moving on to Miller Creek Middle School. District enrollment is approximately 2,000. Class size averages 22 students in kindergarten through third grade, 25 students in grades four and five, and 26 to 30 in grades six through eight. 

Most Miller Creek graduates attend Terra Linda High School, which is part of the San Rafael City Schools system.

Northern Marin / Novato

Novato is served by the Novato Unified School District, which includes San Marin High School and Novato High School. The district provides an interactive boundary map tool that families can use to explore attendance areas.

Dominician University in San Rafael, California

Higher Education in Marin County

Marin County is also home to two well-known institutions of higher education:

A girl wearing a red shirt holding a trophy.

School Recognition & Additional Resources


These resources can be helpful starting points for research, but programs, ratings, and award cycles change over time—always confirm current details directly with the school or district.

Historical references (prior years):

Final Notes

School information can change frequently. If you notice an inaccuracy or have an update to share, please let me know via the contact or comment forms below, or text me directly at 415-847-5584. I truly appreciate your help in keeping this guide current. I usually make any changes or corrections within hours of being contacted.

Last Reviewed & Updated: January 2026

Thinking of Moving to Marin County?

Marin County Realtor Thomas Henthorne headshot

Thomas Henthorne is a consistently top-ranked Marin County real estate agent with Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, known for thoughtful guidance, strong negotiation, and polished marketing. He is the publisher of a widely read Marin real estate blog covering local market insights, neighborhood spotlights, and the lifestyle that makes Marin such an exceptional place to live. Thomas also brings a design and branding background to every listing and client strategy, with an emphasis on presentation, positioning, and results.

You can learn more about Thomas here.

Call or text Thomas at 415-847-5584 to discuss your real estate goals.

Let’s Tell the Next Success Story.™

Learn More About Thomas Henthorne Here

Help Keep This Guide Current

School information can change over time. If you notice an error, outdated detail, or have an addition to suggest, please share it below. I review submissions regularly and appreciate your help in keeping this Marin Schools Guide accurate and up to date.

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