Private School Review - Established 2003
GATE Academy Photo
GATE Academy

Best San Rafael Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 16 private schools serving 2,271 students in San Rafael, CA (there are 21 public schools, serving 9,071 public students). 20% of all K-12 students in San Rafael, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top ranked private schools in San Rafael, CA include Mark Day School, Marin Academy, and St. Raphael School.
The average tuition cost is $31,493, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,008.
25% of private schools in San Rafael, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Jewish).

Top Ranked San Rafael Private Schools (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Brandeis Marin
Brandeis Marin Photo - Brandeis Marin students worked in the design lab to build and decorate this Friendship bench.
(Jewish)
(1)
180 N San Pedro Rd
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 472-1833
Gr: K-8 | 139 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Fusion Academy Marin
Fusion Academy Marin Photo - Each Fusion campus has a state-of-the-art music studio with professional-grade tools. Students can explore instruments, vocals, songwriting, DJ performing arts, and more.
Alternative School
1600 Los Gamos Drive Lobby D, Suite 380
San Rafael, CA 94903
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 | 58 students Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition & acceptance rate listed
GATE Academy
GATE Academy Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
1 Saint Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 491-4700
Gr: PK-8 | 50 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
Marin Academy
Marin Academy Photo
1600 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-2808
Gr: 9-12 | 463 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 42 Tuition listed
Mark Day School
Mark Day School Photo
(5)
39 Trellis Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 472-8000
Gr: K-8 | 370 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
St. Raphael School
(Catholic)
1100 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-4455
Gr: PK-8 | 209 students Sports: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Helix School
Special Education School
161 Mitchell Blvd
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 569-5056
Gr: K-12 | 51 students Avg. class size: 6 students Tuition listed
Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten Inc.
Daycare / Preschool
1055 Las Ovejas Ave
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 492-0550
Gr: PK-1 | 86 students
Marin Waldorf School
Marin Waldorf School Photo
(1)
755 Idylberry Rd
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 479-8190
Gr: K-8 | 182 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 5
Montessori De Terra Linda
Montessori De Terra Linda Photo - Primary (ages 3-6) students love playing on the MdTL "shipwreck"
Montessori School
(3)
610 Del Ganado Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 479-7373
Gr: NS-6 | 149 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition listed
Montessori In Motion
Montessori In Motion Photo - Montessori in Motion spacious outdoor playground surrounded by nature.
Montessori School
3 Wellbrock Hts
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 472-5622
Gr: NS-K | 42 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Montessori School Of Central Marin
Montessori School
317 Auburn St
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 456-1748
Gr: PK-K | 68 students Avg. class size: 24 students
St. Isabella School
(Catholic)
(1)
1 Trinity Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 479-3727
Gr: K-8 | 234 students Avg. class size: 22 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Star Academy
Special Education School
4470 Redwood Hwy Ste 101
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 456-8727
Gr: 3-12 | 80 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 2 Tuition listed
Trinity Preschool
Daycare / Preschool (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
333 Woodland Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-4526
Gr: NS-PK | 90 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
Winston Preparatory School- Marin County Campus
Winston Preparatory School- Marin County Campus Photo - Winston Prep Marin County Campus
Special Education School
1 Saint Vincents Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 993-5533
Gr: 4-12 Avg. class size: 8 students Acceptance rate listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in San Rafael, California

San Rafael, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Caulbridge School (Closed 2024)
Special Program Emphasis
1 St Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 481-1243
Gr: PK-8 | 192 students Avg. class size: 14 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Marin School (Closed 2023)
150 N. San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 339-9336
Gr: 9-12 | 76 students Avg. class size: 8 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Real School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
102 Eye St
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 383-7573
Gr: 7-8 | 4 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in San Rafael, CA?
The top ranked private schools in San Rafael, CA include Mark Day School, Marin Academy, and St. Raphael School.
How many private schools are located in San Rafael?
16 private schools are located in San Rafael.
How much do private schools cost in San Rafael?
The average tuition cost is $31,493, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,008.
How diverse are private schools in San Rafael?
San Rafael private schools are approximately 32% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in San Rafael go to private school?
20% of all K-12 students in San Rafael are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in San Rafael?
25% of private schools in San Rafael are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Jewish).
Which private schools in San Rafael are often viewed compared to one another?

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