Marin Horizon School

This school is terrible. This school is like a VIP day care center (from pk to 8th grade). A. Some teachers have no teaching experience let alone a college degree. B. Most teachers teach by having their students make projects instead of learning from books. This would be okay if this was an art school. ;-) C. They know you are paying big bucks so they avoid confrontation in regards to your kids issues. They always say your kids are doing great when in fact they might not be doing okay. D. They don't discipline kids or reprimand the "bullies." They make believe this doesn't happen at this school and the parents are oblivious to it. Read C. Send your children to another school where teachers are credentialed with college degrees and don't teach to the parent's pocket book. There are some parents on financial aid. But this school is funded solely on the parents who pay big bucks. Why would they chance losing a "live one?" This school is not thriving whatsoever. Their website post many class openings whereas other schools are 100% full with long wait lists. 2 + 2 = 4. Go elsewhere. Don't drink their kool-aid. It's dated.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and nice school grounds. Lots of extracurricular activities. My one critique is downside of the 3 age level primary classroom- there is limited number of kids in one age group and thus less opportunity for child to find someone to click with and more chance for cliques. My child had only 4 other kids the same gender. It's disappointing when they went from Toddler and had started to all form a group identity to dispersed into the 3 primary classrooms. The kids just naturally didn't seem to buddy up with those older or younger, so the pool to make friends within the class was limited. It was much better when we got to 1st grade in terms of that.
--Submitted by a parent

I didn't like this school. Instead of telling you why... Here's a list of questions YOU should ask before having your kids attend. Ask if they have bullying issues. Ask if they have a school nurse. Ask if they have a school psychologist. Ask if they have a speech therapist. Ask if they have a certified special education teacher. Ask if they have a certified physical education teacher. Ask if they ever crashed a bus during a school trip. Ask if teachers have more than a high school diploma and/or California teacher credentials. Ask if teachers have or currently dating other parents in the school. Ask how many students come back after preschool. Ask for contact info of parents who left. Ask if the school has ever been disciplined or sued, and why. Ask if they accept kids with learning disabilities. Ask if the head of school is married and has kids or was ever divorced and if so why. Ask to speak to the former head of school Roz Hamar. Ask why the school initially said she was retiring but took another job a few weeks later. Ask if she was forced out. Ask if families (and their kids) have been forced out. Ask if there are teachers with exterior piercings or tattoos.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had children at MHS for over 10 years and couldn't be happier with the education and experience. Over the last few years I have gained a tremendous appreciation for the benefits of project based learning. My children are so engaged and enthusiastic about learning, in large part due to the teaching methods and the talented and committed teachers. I often joke that in my next life, I would like to come back as a MHS student! Fortunately, my children are MHS students, and they will benefit from the love of learning that the school and its amazing teachers and innovative curriculum helps foster. They will also benefit from the caring and nurturing environment which helps us as parents teach them to be good citizens of the world.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school that is appropriately child-centered and has amazing teachers, then I encourage you to look at Marin Horizon. Unlike many schools, MHS actually lives up to its mission, which at its core challenges children to be self-reliant, lifelong learners and confident individuals who are caring and inspired to give back to their communities. Don't be fooled by the small campus: what's happening in the classrooms at MHS is truly amazing. I can't think of a better gift to give my children!
--Submitted by a parent

I have three children currently attending MHS, and am amazed that each is having a unique experience based on their individual needs. From the primary 'prepared classrooms' that enable the children to follow their own natural curiosity to the amazing oral, written and visual presentations created in the fourth and fifth grade, each child is simultaneously challenged and nurtured. The results are magical. I am confident that the skills learned here will set my children up for success in high school, college and beyond.
--Submitted by a parent

I would not recommond this school. My children have been there for 4 years and we pulled both of them out recently. MHS sells you all kinds of ideas...nothing but empty promises.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Marin Horizon School from 4-8th grade. I credit the school and all who work there with the solid sense of values she carried with her through high school. She made it through high school drug and alcohol free, and is now on the road to a great university this fall Thank you, MHS!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at MHS since she was 3 and is now in Middle School. Her time management skills, public speaking ability, thoughtful understanding of issues and love of school - especially her teachers, is invaluable. This is a very unique and special school.
--Submitted by a parent

MHS is an amazing school all around. Not only are the teachers the most dedicated we've seen, and the academics stellar, but they go beyond that, to teach children how to be good citizens of the community, to appreciate the privileges they have and to give back to those less fortunate, to be leaders, and to be good to the planet. Their loving and nurturing environment is exceptional and the multi-cultural, hands on approach to teaching is a cut above. My child learned to read chapter books by kindergarten, and loves every minute of being in school there. I can't imagine a better place to learn.
--Submitted by a parent