Mark Day School: Tuition, Admissions and Reviews | Marin Private Schools

San Rafael, California · Est. 1980

Innovative + full of heart

We are an independent K-8 school in San Rafael with a strong academic curriculum that emphasizes social-emotional development.

Ch. 1

The Story

We nurture each child to pursue their curiosity, think critically, embrace challenge with courage and joy, and work in partnership with others to build more caring and inclusive communities.

At Mark Day School, we believe that joy, wisdom, and compassion spring from honoring the diversity of the human community.

In 1997, our community formally adopted the Seven Pillars of Character.

We are a Bay Area school community founded on diversity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. At Mark Day School, each student, faculty and staff member, and parent and guardian is known.

At the heart of all our global and local partnerships lies the idea of reciprocity - everyone involved has something to learn and something to teach.

At Mark Day School, philanthropy is a valued part of our community. It’s participation that matters, and we strive for 100% family participation each year.

Ch. 2

Grade Levels

The academic program is designed as a K-8 arc, with curriculum building intentionally across subjects each year.

Lower Division

Our Lower Division builds foundational skills and a growth mindset in a nurturing environment. Children stay with homeroom teachers for core subjects and visit specialists for world language and other specialist classes.

GradesGrades K to 3

Early careMon–Fri 7:30–8:15am; drop-in ASC, no reservations except Minicamp days.

AftercareMon–Thu 3:30–6pm; Fri 2:45–6pm. ASC offers a safe, fun, inclusive place to create, play and relax.

Signature programOutdoor Education: 3rd grade: Walker Creek Ranch for 3 days and 2 nights of hiking

Middle Division

Fourth and fifth graders learn core subjects in homerooms. Sixth graders work with subject specialists in weekly blocks. These grades have daily PE, world language four days a week, and weekly art, drama and music.

GradesGrades 4 to 6

Early careMon–Fri 7:30–8:15am; drop-in ASC, no reservations except Minicamp days.

AftercareMon–Thu 3:30–6pm; Fri 2:45–6pm. ASC offers a safe, fun, inclusive place to create, play and relax.

Signature programOutdoor Education: 4th grade: Coloma Outdoor Discovery School; 5th grade: Big Sur; 6th grade: Pinnacles National Park

Upper Division

Our seventh and eighth graders follow weekly blocks for core subjects, with daily world language and PE. Students choose arts and creativity electives and take weekly classes in our four cross-disciplinary literacies.

GradesGrades 7 to 8

Early careMon–Fri 7:30–8:15am; drop-in ASC, no reservations except Minicamp days.

Ch. 3

Academics

We integrate English, science, math, world language, PE, the arts and social studies with cross-cultural, ecological, social-emotional, and media/information literacies. Across grades and subjects, students develop curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, community mindset, growth mindset and self-understanding/self-direction. Small classes and experienced support teachers enable differentiated instruction.

World languages

In Kindergarten and first grade, students take one semester each of Spanish and Mandarin. From second grade, students select Spanish or Mandarin for continued study.

ii.

Learning support

Our learning specialists create, update, and share a Student Success Plan (SSP) for each student receiving learning services to ensure information, including goals and current interventions, is up to date and shared among teachers and parents/guardians.

Ch. 4

The Campus

Our campus is part of the Gallinas Creek Watershed, and we are part of a larger San Francisco Bay Area ecosystem that is impacted by our actions.

Learning about the natural world through ecoliteracy curriculum happens in our organic garden, butterfly garden, and in areas purposefully designed to preserve and sustain the ecosystem that surrounds us. In 2019, our Learning Commons and Creativity Lab Project was awarded LEED Platinum status, the highest available, for its environmentally sustainable design. Solar panels are installed on the roof of our gym, Lower School, and Arts and Science buildings.

Our two-story Learning Commons houses thousands of books for grades K-8.

Our Creativity Lab space is purpose-built to be an agile learning environment that can adapt to different circumstances and learning needs.

Ch. 5

Enrichment

The cornerstone of our Drama Program is building ensemble based on trust, empathy, humor, respect and recognition of each actor’s unique qualities. That foundation supports the camaraderie and courage necessary for true collaborative storytelling on stage.

line dancingpaper makingsculptureceramicswater color paintingmusical theaterimprov dramastand up comedysong writingband performanceelectronic music compositiondoo-wop ensemblephotography

Ch. 6

Athletics

Our athletic program offers a variety of school sports teams for students in the Marin County Middle School League. We encourage all our students to play a school sport and no previous experience is necessary to join a team. Above all, we value learning, effort, character development, and a commitment to fair play.

Practices take place twice a week directly after school.

BasketballCross CountryFlag FootballGolfTrack & FieldVolleyball

Ch. 7

Values

Fairness, together with the six values below, forms our Seven Pillars of Character. These values are integrated into school life and call us to abide by our highest standards.

Caring

ii.

Courage

iii.

Citizenship

iv.

Respect

Responsibility

vi.

Honesty

Ch. 8

Tuition

Tuition 2026-27

K-8, top of the Index$48,394 per year

Care and options

The After School Club (ASC)$12 per hour

Minicamp, per event$120

Families who wish to be considered to pay tuition below the top of the index must complete an application through Clarity. Applications to pay below the top of the Index have no bearing on the evaluation of a candidate’s admission application.

Mark Day School’s tuition does not fully fund the cost of a Mark Day School education and our annual fund, The Mark Day Fund, helps to make up this difference. All families are asked to contribute, and every gift makes a difference because it demonstrates a commitment to meeting the school’s needs.

Ch. 9

Admissions

We offer on-campus experiences and limited virtual experiences from October to January, and we encourage all prospective families to join us. Though we welcome all applicants for grades K-7 (we do not admit students for the 8th grade), we have two major entry points: a primary entry point for Kindergarten, and a secondary entry point when we expand the class in 6th grade. Admission to grades 1-5 and 7 varies year to year and is based on attrition and available spots.

Jan 15

Application due

Jan 15

Financial aid due

Mar 11

Decisions

Mar 18

Enrollment due

Tours

Adults are invited to sign up for in-person campus tours. All campus tours are 8:30-10:45am.

ii.

Application

Recommendation Forms are due February 8, 2027 through the admission portal or directly from teachers by email/mail. Transcript Release Forms for grades 1-7 are also due February 8. Playdates and assessments are scheduled in the portal; shadow visits with the Admission office.

iii.

Priority

Alums who are applying for their children to attend grades Kindergarten or 1st grade may participate in an early admission timeline. Early applicants hold priority for space and Indexed Tuition.

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