While these do not give the complete picture of the personality of each school, they do paint a picture of how well students are learning and performing. Here is a chart of API scores reported for 69 Marin schools in 2010:

The highest ranking schools, with API scores of 900 or more, are distributed throughout Marin:

* A score for Sinoloa Middle School did not appear on the 2010 list, but we assume it is close to the 2009 score of 871.

** Marin County Community school, designed for special educationally disadvantaged children, was established under the No Child Left Behind Act.

  Marin County Distinguished Schools

Each year several Marin Schools are recognized as California Distinguished Schools. Individual school can apply for Distinguished School status based on their improvement over the previous four years and their API scores. Elementary schools and secondary schools (middle and high school) receive awards on alternate years.

2011

• Tomales High, Tomales
• Redwood High, Larkspur

2010

• Anthony G. Bacich Elementary, Kentfied-Greenbrae
• Old Mill Elementary, Mill Valley
• Bel Aire Elementary, Tiburon
• Reed Elementary, Tiburon
• Willow Creek Academy, Sausalito
• Inverness Elementary, Inverness

2009

• Dixie Elementary, San Rafael
• Del Mar Middle, Tiburon
• White Hill Middle, Fairfax
• Sir Francis Drake High, San Anselmo
• Tamalpais High, Mill Valley
• Tamiscal High, Larkspur

Success Story: Charter Schools in Marin

Willow Creek Academy, serving the Sausalito and Marin City communities, scored an impressive API score of 882 and was named a California Distinguished School in 2010. With the high achievement of this K-8 school, Sausalito is now more attractive for families with young children.

This is a welcomed turnaround for Sausalito: “Student enrollment, which was 1,227 in 1960, dropped to 710 in 1970 — a slide that continued over the next three decades to 283 by 2006 — as parents moved or sent their children to private schools.” (Mark Prado in the Marin Independent Journal, May 15, 2011). Now there is a demand for enrollment at Willow Creek, and Sausalito is considering converting the other two public schools to charter schools.

Charters schools are tuition-free, public schools (K-8), and open to any student who wishes to attend. Here are some of their unique features:

• Every charter school is allowed to create its own educational program.
• Parental participation is strongly encouraged, but not required.
• Local educators, parents, teachers, support staff, and community leaders have a direct voice in the operation and management of the program.
• Individual schools can respond rapidly to program needs and the interests of students.

The Novato Charter School in the Hamilton area of Novato is also performing well, with a recent API score of 863. This school had its origin as a Waldorf School.

Find Out More About Our Schools

For links to the API web sites, please go to the Marin Schools section of Livinginmarin.com. You’ll also find information about our elementary and middle schools, plus high schools.

If you want more about the personality of specific schools, or need recommendations of the best schools for your family, please contact Madeline.

Families move to Marin for the fine schools, and neighborhoods with the best schools appear to maintain higher home values. Marin County schools remain among the best in the Bay area and the state based on several criteria:

• Amount spent per pupil: “Marin residents … spend more per pupil on education than the Bay Area or the state,” according to the Marin Economic Commission report of 2007.
• Academic Performance Index (API)
• Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) score used for college entrance.

Kent Elementary School, Kentfield, CA

What Makes Marin Schools the Best?

It appears that community commitment makes for outstanding schools. Parents take an interest in education, and they make sure the schools are well funded.

Parcel Taxes

Residents of many school districts approve special parcel taxes, added to their property tax bills, to fund the schools. Even with the restricted economic conditions in 2009, Marin citizens voted in favor of parcel taxes in the Lagunitas, Larkspur-Corte Madera, and Novato school districts. In addition voters approved school bond measures for the Mill Valley schools.

School Foundations

Several school districts, including Dixie (northern San Rafael), Kentfield, Lagunitas, Larkspur-Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Nicasio, Novato, Tamalpais High, Tiburon (Reed), Ross, and Ross Valley have foundations that raise significant amounts each year to support school activities. Many businesses in each community contribute generously to these foundations.

Grants

To improve education in the school districts that that have lower achievement levels, the Marin Community Foundation committed $35M in 2009 to be spent over the next five years. This effort addresses the educational needs of students of color and those from low income families.

Coleman Elementary School, San Rafael, CA

The Best Schools in Marin

Most schools in Marin are excellent. A few schools in West Marin, San Rafael, and Sausalito rank lower in API scores.

Sausalito presents an interesting example. This hill town with world-class views and proximity to San Francisco is historically not oriented to families with children and has not been strong on public education. In addition, the Marin City portion of Sausalito is home to lower income families. To improve the educational opportunities in Sausalito, The Sausalito School District established a charter school, the Willow Creek Academy (K through 8), in 2001. As you can see from the following API scores, the students are now matching those in the best elementary schools in Marin.

The Novato School District is a good example of the strength of community commitment. Though the expenditure per student is the lowest in the Marin, API scores indicate an excellent level of education.

For information about specific schools or school districts, please send your questions to this blog or visit the Schools pages at Livinginmarin.com.

Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley, CA

Marin Mini News

Bay Model Receives American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant

A Sausalito tourist destination, a massive model of the San Francisco Bay that shows water movements, will receive a $13M overhaul. Mark Prado presented background on this project in The Marin Independent Journal on January 3, 2010.

Better Sound Walls along Hwy 101 in San Rafael

Highway 101 divides San Rafael into east and west and contributes significant road noise to the neighborhoods directly adjacent. CalTrans is completing the improvement of the sound walls that divide the freeway from the neighborhoods. Jim Wood presented an interesting history of this roadway in Marin Extraordinary Living Magazine, May 2009.  Mark Prado discussed this improvement in The Marin Independent Journal on January 1, 2010.

142 Throckmorton Theater Survives Economic Challange

The small theater at 142 Throckmorton, a half block from the Mill Valley town square, is receiving large and small contributions toward the $500,000 that it needs to continue operating. The theater showcases contemporary and classical music and comedy shows. Local celebrities Dana Carvey and Robin Williams often drop in on the Tuesday night comedy session to present extended acts. Paul Liberatore reported the details in The Marin Independent Journal on January 1, 2010

Tiburon Estate May Get Larger

The owners of a 12,000 square foot estate on four acres of prime view hilltop in Tiburon may be tearing down the house to replace it with a 15,000 square foot home. The Tiburon Design Review Board approved the project concept. The property previously belonged to tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff. Deirdre McCrohan reported on the proposal in The Ark on December 9, 2009.

Keeping Marin’s Air Clean

With certain weather conditions, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District posts restrictions on burning wood. Violation letters and fines are sent to offenders. Samanthe Campos reported on violators in the Pacific Sun on December 30, 2009.

Flood Control Planning for the Ross Valley Watershed

The Corte Madera Creek drains the Ross Valley, from Fairfax through Corte Madera to the Bay. During extreme weather conditions, areas along the creek can flood nearby homes and stores. Debbie Stutsman presented an update on planning in the Ross Valley Reporter on December 30, 2009.  A new website presents a comprehensive review of the Ross Valley Watershed.