Montessori School of Central Marin: Tuition, Admissions and Reviews | Marin Private Schools

San Rafael, California

Providing a Wholesome Education Since 1974

We are a Montessori school serving children ages 2–6, with a full-time bilingual program in English and Spanish.

Ch. 1

The Story

Our mission is to support the development of each child's potential based upon Dr. Montessori's insights as to the nature of the child, the role of the directress, and the need for a prepared environment. Staff development and parental services are provided to inform the adult how to best support the child's development. Resources and attention are placed on the child's environment to optimize development. The child is our focus.

Our Montessori classroom is based upon these beliefs of the child as absorbing information, learning through the senses and needing order, movement and language.

Our school is proud to have teachers and families from various cultural backgrounds and students have the opportunity to learn from their food, traditions, practices, and even celebrations!

Our director is Criselda Thomas.

Ch. 2

A School Day

Our School Day runs from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm. At noon, children have lunch, followed by a nap if needed or an afternoon cultural program studying zoology, botany, geography, history, music and art. The routine below describes our School Day; separate daycare hours are in Programs.

9:00 am

Arrival

Our School Day begins at 9:00 am.

12:30 pm

Rest

Children who need naps rest until 2:30 pm; others join our afternoon cultural program.

2:45 pm

Pickup

Our School Day ends at 2:45 pm, with a 15-minute grace window for pickup.

Ch. 3

Programs

Practical Life builds fine-motor coordination through care of self, environment and courtesies. Sensorial materials refine the five senses. Mathematics introduces counting from 1 to 100 and units, tens, hundreds and thousands. Language Arts joins listening, reading, speaking and writing through phonics. Spanish activities build speaking, listening and comprehension. Cultural study includes Zoology, Botany, Geography, History, Music and Art. In morning daycare before 8:45 am, children choose from art materials and games.

Toddler Program

Ages2 years to 3 years

Days3 or 4 days per week (any combination of days, though they must remain consistent); 5 days per week (Monday-Friday)

HoursSchool Day: 9:00 am – 2:45 pm; Daycare: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Family participationFor 2026-27, families are encouraged to join field trips, serve as room parents, present in class, set up events or help with classroom materials and outdoor maintenance.

Preschool Program

Ages3 years to 5 years

Days3 or 4 days per week (any combination of days, though they must remain consistent); 5 days per week (Monday-Friday)

HoursSchool Day: 9:00 am – 2:45 pm; Daycare: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Family participationFor 2026-27, families are encouraged to join field trips, serve as room parents, present in class, set up events or help with classroom materials and outdoor maintenance.

Summer School

We continue Montessori learning with changing themes such as human anatomy, the solar system, marine biology and invertebrates. Summer runs from the Tuesday after the academic year ends to the Thursday before the new year.

Ch. 4

Enrichment

We offer gymnastics and drama after school, alongside music, yoga, cooking, gardening, dance, art and monthly field trips.

MusicYogaCookingGardeningDanceArtDramaGymnasticsMonthly field trips

Ch. 5

Admissions

We will begin accepting applications from new families for the 2027-28 school year on January 1, 2027.

Tours

Please call our office or e-mail to schedule a virtual tour.

ii.

Age to enroll

Our youngest enrollment age is 24 months old.

iii.

Application

Our application process requires a fully completed 2-page application form with a $100 non-refundable deposit and $500 deposit towards tuition in the form of a check or money order. Once accepted, parents must submit a complete enrollment package.

iv.

Priority

When looking at enrollment for the upcoming year we consider applications in the following order of priority: (1) current students, (2) siblings of students, and (3) new students.

Apply online

Ch. 6

Tuition

Tuition 2026-27

Toddler Program, Day Care, 5 Days$2,650 per month, 9 months

Toddler Program, Day Care, 4 Days$2,345 per month, 9 months

Toddler Program, Day Care, 3 Days$2,045 per month, 9 months

Toddler Program, School Day, 5 Days$2,250 per month, 9 months

Toddler Program, School Day, 4 Days$1,995 per month, 9 months

Toddler Program, School Day, 3 Days$1,745 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, Day Care, 5 Days$2,615 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, Day Care, 4 Days$2,315 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, Day Care, 3 Days$2,005 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, School Day, 5 Days$2,215 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, School Day, 4 Days$1,975 per month, 9 months

Preschool Program, School Day, 3 Days$1,725 per month, 9 months

A sibling discount of 10% can be deducted from the eldest child’s tuition during the time both children attend. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month with a 5 day grace period. After the 5th of each month, a $25 late fee will be assessed.

We accept payments from Marin Child Care Council.

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