San Domenico School: Tuition, Admissions and Reviews

Ch. 1

The Story

Our mission is to deliver an exceptional education rooted in inquiry, reflection, and purpose. We foster a community where students are encouraged to discover their passions; lead with courage, wisdom, and kindness; and make a meaningful impact in their immediate and extended environments.

We are a non-religious school.

Since Mother Mary Goemaere founded our School in 1850, Dominican values have been an integral part of our program. While our school has seen many changes in the ensuing centuries, our culture remains imbued with the Dominican traditions of inquiry and reflection.

At San Domenico, our community is built around a sense of shared history, legacy, belonging and purpose. Our strength lies in our commitment to service and stewardship. From educators to students, parents, guardians, grandparents, alumni, neighbors, and friends of the School, we celebrate and support one another every day.

We have 140 students in Lower School.

Our regional, domestic, and international boarding students make up a third of our Upper School student body.

Ch. 2

Grade Levels

From the first days of Kindergarten to our Middle and Upper Schools, our students experience a cohesive curriculum that builds upon itself year-over-year, from mastering fundamental skills and knowledge in core academic subjects, exploring the arts, growing social-emotional learning, and building strong character.

Lower School

We nurture and foster our students' natural sense of inquiry and curiosity about the world around them, in a vibrant learning community.

GradesGrades K to 5

Hours8:10 AM - 3:15 PM

AftercareParent Pick-up at EXTra by 5:00pm

Class size18 students on average

Signature programConfident Voices: Public Speaking and Presentation

Middle School

Our Middle School teachers embrace each child's individual talents and help them envision all they can achieve and change in the world.

GradesGrades 6 to 8

Hours8:10 AM - 3:15 PM

Signature programEighth Grade Capstone Project: a yearlong exploration of service and learning.

Upper School

Our program is designed to engage and challenge a diverse student body, with developmentally appropriate rigor and progressive pedagogy.

GradesGrades 9 to 12

Hours8:10 AM - 3:15 PM

Signature programSpring Discovery: fully immersive, project-based, experiential learning and discovery trips outside of the classroom.

Ch. 3

A School Day

For our Upper School boarding students, a typical day can stretch from an early morning bike ride to lights out, with time for academics, friendship and fun. The routine below describes living at SD. Across grades 6-12, our Advisory program pairs an advisor with 10-12 students for regular group meetings and individual support. These are advisory groups, not academic class sizes.

6:30 AM

Before the bell

Our boarding students can enjoy a sunrise hike, run or bike ride in the hills surrounding campus.

8:10 AM

Classes begin

Our Upper School boarding students head to classes on a block schedule.

Lunch

Our Epicurean culinary team prepares fresh, seasonal meals using ingredients sourced from local farmers, growers, and producers.

3:15 PM

After school

Our boarding students return to Mercedes Lounge with day students for a hearty snack before after-school activities.

Mon-Thu

Every week

Our boarding students join supervised study halls Monday through Thursday evenings.

Ch. 4

Academics

At San Domenico, we believe that an exceptional education requires not just academic excellence but also the cultivation of meaning and purpose. In grades 6-12, PERKs (Passion, Engagement, Reflection, and Knowledge) provides a weekly 60-minute block for exploring interests beyond the official curriculum.

i.

Advanced courses

Our Upper School students choose Advanced Placement, honors and college preparatory courses to create a course load that meets their strengths and interests.

ii.

World languages

Upper School students develop advanced oral and written language proficiency in Mandarin and Spanish.

iii.

Learning support

Ch. 5

The Campus

Our expansive 515-acre campus is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by the rolling hills of San Anselmo, California.

Our campus includes Dominican Hall, Panther Plaza, Dining Hall & Fireside Room, Health Services, Student/Faculty Residences & Mercedes Community Center, pool, Beach Volleyball Courts, Garden Of Hope, Library / Administration / Admissions, tennis courts, Visual Arts Center, Hall Of The Arts & Hota Lobby, Music Conservatory & Dance Studio, and Athletic Center.

Ch. 6

Enrichment

We encourage students to discover and explore their passions through the arts, clubs and enrichment. Our Virtuoso Program integrates rigorous academics and intensive music study for Upper School students exploring their potential as professional string musicians. Limited enrollment supports personal attention; accepted students may be eligible for merit scholarships.

Virtuoso ProgramA CappellaAnimeBalletBody PositiveCookingFilmGardeningGreen TeamGuitar ClubHip HopJazz BandJunior Statesmen of America

Ch. 7

Athletics

At San Domenico, we compete with purpose, lead with integrity, and lift each other up. Whether on the court, the field, or the trails, success is found in the effort we give and the sportsmanship we show.

Intramural team play begins in fourth grade and offers a fun way for our students to experience team sports during the school day.

BadmintonBaseballBasketballBeach VolleyballCross CountryFlag FootballGolfLacrosseMountain BikingSailingSoccerSoftball

Ch. 8

Values

At San Domenico, we believe that knowledge itself is not most important, but rather what one does with that knowledge to make the world a better place.

i.

Study

In our Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions courses, students learn about cultural thought and belief systems, historical events, and theological concepts. They also dive deeply into philosophical questions, ethical dilemmas, and social justice issues.

ii.

Reflection

In keeping with our core values, we begin building community before classes even start. During the first week of school, Fall Retreats create space for students to form friendships, challenge themselves, and connect beyond the classroom.

Ch. 9

Tuition

Tuition 2026-27

Kindergarten$47,975 per year

Grades 1-5$49,900 per year

Grades 6-8$54,500 per year

Grades 9-12 (Day)$69,650 per year

Grades 9-12 (Boarding)$86,800 per year

Fees

New student onboarding costs$2,000 once

International resident student administrative costs$2,000 per year

Tech Fee: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2$450

Tech Fee: Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5$675

Tech Fee: Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8$725

Activity Fee: Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8$575

Indexed Tuition application fee$60 once

The non-refundable tuition deposit is 10% of net tuition and fees (for domestic students) and 20% of net tuition & fees (for international students).

We are proudly committed to expanding access to an SD education through our Indexed Tuition program, providing more than $10 million in tuition and fee reduction for 38% of San Domenico families in the 2026-27 school year.

The SD Fund powers every one of these moments. It turns ideas into action and provides the resources that let our students, faculty, and programs flourish today.

Ch. 10

Admissions

We look forward to getting to know your family. For 2027-28, Grades K-8 applications are due January 15, 2027, and Grades 9-12 day applications January 5, 2027. Please confirm the boarding deadline with Admissions. We do not require SSAT or ISEE scores. Applicants from outside the United States must submit proof of English proficiency.

Jan 5

Financial aid due

i.

Tours

We encourage all families interested in San Domenico School to visit campus and experience our community firsthand before submitting an application.

ii.

Age to enroll

Kindergarten students must be 5 by September 1. We assess each applicant individually and occasionally admit a child who is not yet 5 by that date.

iii.

Application

Create a Ravenna account and student profile. Submit the application, fee, parent statement, school records and recommendations. K-6 families have a 45-minute parent/guardian interview; Grades 7-12 applicants have a 1:1 student interview.

iv.

Priority

As a school that highly values community and the commitment that families have made to our school, we pay close attention to sibling applications. Kindergarten sibling applications for 2027-28 are due December 1, 2026.

Apply online

Find your school

A one-of-a-kind place for the one-of-a-kind you.

The Story

Grade Levels

Lower School

Middle School

Upper School

A School Day

Academics

Advanced courses

World languages

Learning support

The Campus

Enrichment

Athletics

Values

Study

Reflection

Tuition

Admissions

Tours

Age to enroll

Application

Priority

College counseling

Signature program

Community

Service

Find your school