Mount Tamalpais School: Tuition, Admissions and Reviews | Marin Private Schools

Mill Valley, California

Serious Learning. Seriously Fun.

We are an independent, co-ed K–8 school in Mill Valley, where students learn every subject from a specialist starting in kindergarten.

Ch. 1

The Story

We envision a world where... Education inspires action. We get closer to our vision by creating the conditions in which: Learning is revered, and education is joyful.

At Mount Tamalpais School, we deeply value diversity. Guided by our core value to Practice Active Inclusion, we are committed to fostering a community where every student and family feels a true sense of belonging. We celebrate the many dimensions of identity and design a curriculum that helps students grow as thoughtful, empathetic, and curious learners.

With our departmentalized program, we have educators who love math and love teaching math.

Ch. 2

Grade Levels

MTS teachers meet regularly as grade-level teams, so every adult working with a student in a given year is tracking that child's progress together, not working from disconnected experiences. They also meet by subject area, across Lower and Middle School, so a Lower School math teacher and a Middle School math teacher are in ongoing conversations about how a skill should build from one stage to the next.

Lower School

One of the many benefits of an MTS Lower School experience is the unique, departmentalized structure beginning in kindergarten.

GradesGrades K to 5

Hours8:15 AM–2:45 PM Kindergarten; 8:15 AM–3:00 PM Grades 1-5

Early care7:30-8:00 AM

AftercareMonday–Thursday: 2:45 PM – 6:00 PM; Friday: 2:45 PM – 5:00 PM; Half Days: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Signature programNatureBridge: Fifth graders spend three days in the Marin Headlands, exploring the coastal hills, ponds, and tide-pools.

Middle School

Our middle school program also emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with teachers, learning to speak up and ask questions, engage in spirited debate, and use voice and choice to pursue passion projects.

GradesGrades 6 to 8

Hours8:15 AM–3:15 PM

Early care7:30-8:00 AM

AftercareMonday–Thursday: 2:45 PM – 6:00 PM; Friday: 2:45 PM – 5:00 PM; Half Days: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Class size18 students or fewer, depending on the subject

Signature programOutdoor Education: four days on the ropes course at Westminster Woods in 6th grade

Ch. 3

A School Day

Families with children in multiple grades may drop off and pick up all of their children at the same time; parents do not need to coordinate multiple drop-off and pick-up times. Instead, we ask they pick up their children at the later pick-up time.

7:30 am

Before the bell

Students are welcome to arrive as early as 7:30 am for time in our covered courtyard.

8:15 AM

Classes begin

Our homeroom/advisory begins.

Lunch

Our students bring lunch from home or order from Choicelunch, delivered daily.

3:15 PM

After school

Each day after the last bell rings, we offer a range of options for students to continue learning on campus.

Mondays

Every week

Our students in grades 6-8 meet in advisory.

Ch. 4

Academics

From Kindergarten on, students learn math from a mathematician, science from an engineer, and history from someone who's genuinely a historian. Every MTS faculty member teaches the subject they love, to the age group they know best. This is what a truly departmentalized education looks like, and it's at the heart of everything we do.

World languages

Our world languages department introduces students to Mandarin and Spanish.

ii.

Learning support

Our Learning Specialist is Kaitlyn Huston.

iii.

High school placement

The high school process, beginning in the spring of seventh grade, is supported by teachers and administrators and led by our Head of Middle School, Nick Wilsey.

Ch. 5

The Campus

Set on the shoulders of Mount Tamalpais, our five-acre campus puts students outside almost as often as in, moving between classes in fresh air, learning science in the garden, and playing on real grass with the mountain as a backdrop.

Phase 1 construction, completed in August 2024, includes an inviting and single point of entry, with new offices, a new student bathroom, and two new classrooms in renovated spaces. Our new building includes middle school classrooms, a science lab, and additional office spaces.

Ch. 6

Enrichment

We provide many opportunities to get up in front of a group. Over the years, students learn how to present themselves and collaborate in creative ways.

Advisory & ClubsOutdoor EducationMusicPerforming ArtsStudio ArtsDigital Photography EnrichmentGrandparents and Special Friends TeaCommencement4th/5th Grade Winter PlayMiddle School Spring PlayEnrichment ConcertsChorus

Ch. 7

Athletics

After-school sports at MTS help students connect with classmates and coaches from our Professional Community.

On our teams, sportsmanship, character development, and teamwork are emphasized.

Our volleyball teams practice twice a week and play in the CYO League on Sunday afternoons.

BasketballCross CountryFlag FootballTrack & FieldVolleyball

Ch. 8

Values

Our values are the essence of our school and the code by which we live – the principles upon which we make our decisions. They are the heart and soul of MTS and do not tend to change over time.

Lead with Kindness

We keep an open mind and embrace our changing world with an open heart.

ii.

Honor Childhood

Childhood is not a renewable resource; it is a brief and valuable time of limitless potential and essential development.

iii.

Practice Active Inclusion

We practice active inclusion until it becomes instinctive.

iv.

Celebrate the Journey

Because learning is so valued, we find joy and satisfaction in the pursuit of knowledge.

Ch. 9

Tuition

Tuition 2026-27

Kindergarten-5th grade$48,400 per year

6th–8th grade$50,990 per year

Fees

Clarity Application Fee$60 once

Care and options

After Care$1,000 per term

Aftercare$27 per day

Enrichment sessions$350 to $450 per term

Bus$3,950 per year

Van transportation$3,100 per year

Basketball$475

One-Pay; Two-Pay; Four-Pay; Six-Pay; Nine-Pay. There is no annual fee or additional charge for the use of FACTS.

MTS dedicates over 15% of the operating budget to maintain financial accessibility in our school. Over 18% of families receive financial assistance. We encourage families to apply for financial assistance if they feel affording the full tuition is out of reach.

All families are asked to make a donation to the MTS Annual Fund each School year. These contributions support the current fiscal year, which runs from July 1 - June 30. Academic programs, financial assistance, and facilities all benefit from these donations.

Ch. 10

Admissions

Families that are interested in learning more about MTS are an extension of our community. We strive to offer an inclusive, engaging, informative, and worthwhile experience as families explore MTS.

Jan 14

Application due

Jan 14

Financial aid due

Mar 11

Decisions

Tours

Campus tours are offered on select Friday mornings from 9:00-11:00 am September-January.

ii.

Age to enroll

Children applying to attend kindergarten in 2027-28, must be 5 years old by September 1, 2027.

iii.

Application

As part of the application process, a completed teacher recommendation form is required. Applicant families delegate the teacher recommendation form through their Ravenna account. Transcripts are also required for applicants to first grade and above. Parent/guardian interviews are offered via Zoom or in person.

Apply online