Moving to Marin- What school district?
Hi all -
I have a 4 y.o. and we're considering moving to Marin from portland. I've lived in the Bay Area before, but never with a child. Any opinions about Marin schools/districts? Right now we're open to all areas. We tend toward alternative education, but Waldorf is usually a little too far out for us and big, public schools are are little to impersonal. Looking for something progressive and personal.
Any thoughts, experiences, suggestions are most welcome!
Thank you!
Marin's public schools are pretty much all good, but some are certainly better than others. You certainly can't go wrong in Mill Valley, Tiburon, Kentfield, or San Anselmo, as they all have very high achieving schools.
If you can't stomach the hefty price tag that comes with the aforementioned towns, then places like San Rafael and Novato have a lower cost of living. The schools there tend to be a mixed bag, but keep in mind they are, on a whole, much better (based on test scores, of course) than comparable elementary schools in the East Bay, Sonoma County, and San Francisco.
Pleasant Valley, San Ramon, and Rancho schools in Novato have very good reputations, as do the schools in San Rafael's Dixie School District. The Novato Charter School has a "Waldorf inspired" curriculum, and it's free, but of course you need to brave their annual lottery to get in.
Forbes Magazine wrote about Marin's schools about a year-and-a-half back, calling them the best in the nation when adjusted for education budget and cost of living.
Appreciate the great feedback. Will look into all of the above.