Photo: SWENOWENSON · CC BY-SA 4.0Mill Valley’s public schools outscore 97% of California districts
In Mill Valley, 68% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Mill Valley, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 85% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Mill Valley’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 177 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Mill Valley’s, its schools beat 90%, lower than their 97% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Mill Valley runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Mill Valley Middle (6–8) is Mill Valley’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Tamalpais Union High School District with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon: Tamalpais High. The high school’s own results earn an A, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 77% and math 68% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Tamalpais Union High spends $23,705 per student and Mill Valley Elementary $24,180, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Terra Marin School (private) and North Bridge Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Mill Valley’s grade
A+: better than 97% of California school districts, #10 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Mill Valley, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Mill Valley · depends on your address
Edna Maguire Elementary
Grades K–5 · 399 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Park Elementary
Grades K–5 · 301 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Old Mill Elementary
Grades K–5 · 261 students · 22:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Mill Valley
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Mill Valley
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Mill Valley
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Mill Valley
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Mill Valley
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Mill Valley
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Mill Valley
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Mill Valley runs its own schools through grade 8 (Mill Valley Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Tamalpais Union High School District, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon. Parts of Mill Valley (3% of its land) are served by Larkspur Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Mill Valley
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Mill Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Mill Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Valley | A+ | Mill Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| Corte Madera | A+ | Larkspur Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| Larkspur | A+ | Larkspur Elementary K–8 · Kentfield Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Tamalpais Union High with Mill Valley for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Mill Valley
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Mill Valley’s schools
Are Mill Valley’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mill Valley children attend outscore 97% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #10 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mill Valley in?
Two districts: Mill Valley Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Tamalpais Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon.
Where do Mill Valley kids go to high school?
Tamalpais High, with 1,470 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Mill Valley’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Tamalpais Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Mill Valley spend per student?
$23,705 in Tamalpais Union High School District and $24,180 in Mill Valley Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mill Valley?
Yes: Terra Marin School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 86 students) and North Bridge Academy (special education, grades 2–8, 82 students).
Parents talk
What Mill Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mill Valley → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.