K–8 Schools

If your child is entering kindergarten in the fall, you like many Marin parents, have probably considered an independent school. Cascade Canyon School is a K-8 school in Fairfax with a small, full-day, developmental kindergarten program that's capped at 10 students. We asked Cascade Canyon School to answer a few questions about their school and its programs and philosophies.

If you're interested in kindergarten at Cascade Canyon for the 2013–2014 school year, they'll be holding a final parent tour on Tuesday, June 4, at 9 am. For more information, visit www.cascadecanyon.org or call (415) 459-3464.

Please describe your school’s educational philosophy. What’s it all about?

At Cascade Canyon School, everyone knows everyone, and children feel comfortable expressing their individuality all the way through eighth grade. Within our accepting, inclusive community, we foster cross-age relationships and multi-age learning opportunities. Teachers, students and families work together to support our students' intellectual, social and emotional development. We offer small classes and a flexible, responsive learning environment that allows each student to reach his or her full potential. Our teachers are skilled in teaching to different learning styles and incorporating students' interests into the classroom.

Marin Mommies presents a guest article by Karen LeFurgy, Ring Mountain Day School parent and Vice Chair of the school's Board of Trustees.

As a mother who enjoys reading Marin Mommies on a regular basis, I wanted to share with other local moms a positive story about a group of engaged and active parents at Ring Mountain Day School. I’m very proud of our story and particularly eager to share it with other parents who may be searching for a top quality school that embodies what a true school community is all about.

All three of my children are attending or have attended Ring Mountain and I serve as Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees. For those who are unfamiliar with us, we are an independent K–8 school in Mill Valley with an enrollment of just under 100 students. At Ring Mountain, we try to be a little different than other schools by offering small class sizes of 8–15 students so that our faculty can apply an individualized, integrated approach and teach a core curriculum that emphasizes problem solving in real-life situations, promoting comprehensive

Cascade Canyon School, a non-profit, K–8, small, independent, progressive school in Fairfax will host an open house for parents of prospective students on Saturday, January 29, from 10 am–noon. RSVPs preferred, but not required; contact their admissions department at (415) 459-3464 to RSVP. Scheduled events include student-led tours from 10–10:30 am, elementary and middle school demonstrationlLessons from 10:30–11:30 am, and classroom visits from 11:30 am–noon.

Cascade Canyon School, founded in 1981 and situated on 22 wooded acres in the heart of Fairfax, is a small independent school, serving over 60 students from Marin in grades K–8. Cascade Canyon enjoys the lowest student-to-teacher ratio among progressive schools in Marin, and prides itself on the quality of its staff and the warmth of its community. Cascade Canyon balances a challenging academic core curriculum based on critical thinking with a strong social-emotional program and a rich specialist program in art, music, theater, Spanish, Sign Language, PE, and environmental education. The school is located at 2626 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Fairfax.

Dunham Academy, Marin's first school that specifically serves the needs of gifted children, will hold an open house this Saturday, January 22, from 10 am to noon. Come tour the campus, meet the school's remarkable teachers, and see its gifted students in action.

Located on the beautiful and historic campus of St. Vincent's in northern San Rafael, the Dunham academy is an independent, co-educational, year-round, K–8 school exclusively dedicated to gifted education. It provides inquiry-based instruction in a challenging, nurturing, and supportive environment in small multi-age classes.

To learn more about Dunham Academy, visit www.dunhamacademy.com or call (415) 491-4700. The St. Vincent's campus is located at One Saint Vincent Drive, just off 101 near the community of Marinwood.