Montessori De Terra Linda Photo - Our Upper Elementary classroom (4th-6th grades) takes a hike into the surrounding hillside of our campus, and later has the opportunity to journal while enjoying the vista at the top.

Best San Rafael Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 private preschools serving 694 students in San Rafael, CA.
The top-ranked private preschool in San Rafael, CA is St. Raphael School.
The average acceptance rate is 98%, which is higher than the California private preschool average acceptance rate of 82%.
29% of private preschools in San Rafael, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).

Top-Ranked San Rafael Private Preschools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
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
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
Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten Inc.
Daycare / Preschool
1055 Las Ovejas Ave
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 492-0550
Gr: PK-1 | 86 students
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 Of Central Marin Photo
Montessori School
317 Auburn St
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 456-1748
Gr: PK-K | 68 students Avg. class size: 24 students
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
[+] 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
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

Overview

This Town (San Rafael)
This State (CA)
# Schools
7 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
694 Students
363,163 Students
% Average Students of Color
43%
50%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
67 Teachers
26,512 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
14:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
69%
58%
Average Class Size
18 students
18 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$20,960
$15,631
Average % on Financial Aid
17%
25%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$13,325
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
98%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$31.27 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.61
0.70
# American Indian Students
6 Students
1,693 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
7 Students
30,302 Students
% Asian Students
1%
9%
# Hispanic Students
112 Students
43,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
12%
# Black Students
12 Students
12,399 Students
% Black Students
2%
4%
# White Students
168 Students
112,259 Students
% White Students
24%
32%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
2,000 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
389 Students
144,386 Students
% of Others Students
56%
42%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
5 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
3 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in San Rafael, CA?
The top-ranked private preschools in San Rafael, CA is St. Raphael School.
How many private preschools are located in San Rafael?
7 private preschools are located in San Rafael.
How diverse are private preschools in San Rafael?
San Rafael private preschools are approximately 43% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in San Rafael?
29% of private preschools in San Rafael are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Which private preschools in San Rafael are often viewed compared to one another?

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