Marin Country Day School

Thoughtful instruction, great teaching and support staff, rigorous research-grounded academic approach, increasingly diverse students, and a 'whole child' approach in a gorgeous country setting.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't imagine anyplace better than MCDS. I can't imagine going anywhere else either, for there is no one I would rather be than myself and I only got here because of MCDS. The person who gave four stars: Our school isn't just based on you kid's reading level. Everyone will get there at some point. Our school is based on who the kid is and what the kid will become. I mean no offense to you or your kid, but maybe they just were not the correct fit. But MCDS could be the most important thing that has ever happened to me.
—Submitted by a student

I am an eighth grade student currently attending MCDS, as I have since kindergarden. I have loved every memory I have made there, and I am so lucky to be a part of such an incredible community. I am so sad to be leaving MCDS next year, and I will miss the fantastic teachers, the gorgeous campus, and most of all, my peers.
—Submitted by a student

MCDS not only provides a top notch education, it also provides a warm, tight-knit, caring community for the child. My daughter can't wait for weekend to be over so she can be back at school!
—Submitted by a parent

In response to the four-starred review, I have to say I disagree. There is much more than academics that figures in admissions - my child was accepted and it was certainly not on the basis of being 'socially connected'. I know for certain that this past year was especially challenging due to a high number of siblings which enrolled. They also strive to maintain a balance of SF/Marin, girls/boys, diversity, and of course, personality types. The school certainly is wonderful, and has surpassed the expectations that we as parent's had expected. The school community is also very impressive - I was surprised at how supportive and grounded everyone was. This is an honest review, and I truly feel blessed to have my child attending. We don't have any 'connections' or 'big bucks', and I don't think we were an exception - my child was accepted in every school we applied.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a great school. I learned so much in my 9 years there, how to make friends, write an essay, read, spell, and even important life skills. Without MCDS, I would not be the person I am today.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school, but the admissions process leaves something to be desired. It doesn't matter how well academically prepared your child is - preference is given to families with social connections and the ability to donate big bucks. My kindergarten child was reading at a 2nd grade level, and didn't get accepted. Apparently the admissions director s always say 'everything looks good' - but don't believe them. Lie about your income and name drop and you'll have a better chance of getting in. That being said, the families I know who go there are wonderful, and the school and facilities are top notch - they just need to purge the admissions department.

I am so grateful to be able to be a student at Marin Country Day School. I entered MCDS at 6th grade along with about 19 other new students. All of us were welcomed by the others and now you wouldn't even know we had come in at 6th grade. I love my teachers and I love my friends. What more can I say. Moving to MCDS after going to a public elementary school in San Francisco changed my life for the better.
—Submitted by a student

I wish I had gone to a school like this. Encourages the love of learning, independent kids who have respect and compassion for others. An active parent community. Committed to diversity.
—Submitted by a parent