School Profile

Saint Mark's School is a fully accredited, independent, nonreligious, coeducational, elementary school for students in grades Kindergarten through eight. While the school celebrates world cultures, faiths, and values, it has no religious affiliation of its own.

The Saint Mark's community is composed of bright and motivated students, 68 faculty and staff, and over 1,000 alumni and their many families and friends.

We have passed our 30th year with a remarkable record of success: from our modest inception to our current position of academic and fiscal strength in the independent school community. Throughout the school’s history, we have remained focused on our mission of providing a challenging program in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Throughout the school’s history, we have remained focused on our mission of providing a challenging program in a nurturing and supportive environment.

High academic standards, a thoughtfully innovative approach, and a highly skilled and committed faculty have enabled Saint Mark's to earn a strong reputation for our academic program. Our graduates are highly sought after by local secondary schools and are, by every account, remarkably well prepared for life in a high school community.

Visionary stewardship from an experienced administration and a remarkably capable and supportive Board of Trustees have enabled Saint Mark's to aggressively address faculty compensation, enhance the campus, and build our endowment and cash reserves. The signing of a long-term lease with the Dixie School District and the successful $3.5 million Campaign for Saint Mark's in 2003 enabled the school to add a gymnasium and the Arts and Science building, making it possible for our physical plant to match the excellence of our school’s program.

Saint Mark’s other strengths include a highly competitive admissions picture, a well-developed fundraising program (including an Annual Fund in 2010-2011 of more than $520,000), and a long succession of balanced budgets. Assets include a $5.4 million endowment.

The Board of Trustees' current work is guided by our strategic plan, a five-year plan charting the school's commitment to build on its achievements over the next few years.

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Saint Mark's at a Glance

Full enrollment 380 (two classes per grade)
Class Size
Lower School
(K-3)
20
Middle Division
(4-6)
22
Upper Division
(7-8)
22
Faculty
Full time 30
Part time 7
Support teachers 21
School Day
K 8:30 - 2:30
1-8 8:30 - 3:15
School is dismissed at 2:30 on Fridays
Tuition Assistance
% of students aided 26%
Amount of aid $1,400,000
Specialist Courses Offered
Art, music, drama, P.E., technology, Mandarin, Spanish
Student Population
Students of Color 30%
From San Rafael 39%
From Novato 19%
From Central/W. Marin 21%
From Southern Marin 18%
From Sonoma/Napa County 2%
Other 1%

Memberships and Affiliations


  • CAIS
    The California Association of Independent Schools
  • NAIS
    The National Association of Independent Schools
  • APC
    The Alumni Program Council for Independent Schools
  • CASE
    The Council for Advancement and Support of Education
  • ERB
    Educational Records Bureau
  • SSATB
    Secondary School Admissions Test Board
  • SSS
    School and Student Service for Financial Aid
  • ABADO
    Association of Bay Area Development Officers
  • ISBOA
    Independent School Business Officers Association Bay Area Admissions Officers
  • BADA
    Bay Area Directors of Admission
  • Novato Chamber of Commerce San Rafael Chamber of Commerce