Marin County Civic Center · Photo: Fizbin at en.wikipedia · Public domainSan Rafael’s public schools outscore 68% of California districts
39% of students in San Rafael’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving San Rafael, 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 96% 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.
San Rafael’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 492 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Rafael’s, its schools beat 60%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 39% across its districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
San Rafael City High spends $20,459 per student and San Rafael City Elementary $21,389, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Marin Academy (private), Mark Day School (private), St. Isabella School (private), St. Raphael School (private), Montessori de Terra Linda (private), Star Academy (private), The Helix School (private) and Fusion Academy Marin (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 San Rafael’s grade
B+: better than 68% of California school districts, #267 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve San Rafael, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in San Rafael
James B. Davidson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,052 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in San Rafael
James B. Davidson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,052 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in San Rafael
James B. Davidson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,052 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in San Rafael · depends on your address
San Rafael High
Grades 9–12 · 1,332 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Terra Linda High
Grades 9–12 · 1,248 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Rafael · depends on your address
San Rafael High
Grades 9–12 · 1,332 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Terra Linda High
Grades 9–12 · 1,248 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in San Rafael · depends on your address
San Rafael High
Grades 9–12 · 1,332 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Terra Linda High
Grades 9–12 · 1,248 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in San Rafael · depends on your address
San Rafael High
Grades 9–12 · 1,332 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Terra Linda High
Grades 9–12 · 1,248 students · 21:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve San Rafael
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
San Rafael vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Rafael’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | B+ | San Rafael City Elementary K–8 · Dixie Elementary K–8 · San Rafael City High 9–12 |
| Ross | A+ | Ross Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| Larkspur | A+ | Larkspur Elementary K–8 · Kentfield Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| San Anselmo | A+ | Ross Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| Richmond | C+ | West Contra Costa Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
Every school in San Rafael
22 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Marin County ROP and Phoenix Academy). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about San Rafael’s schools
Are San Rafael’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Rafael children attend outscore 68% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #267 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 60%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Rafael in?
San Rafael City High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 2,676 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do San Rafael kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: San Rafael High and Terra Linda High.
What is San Rafael’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in San Rafael City High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does San Rafael spend per student?
$20,459 in San Rafael City High School District, $21,389 in San Rafael City Elementary School District and $18,153 in Dixie Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Rafael?
Yes: Marin Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 459 students), Mark Day School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 386 students), St. Isabella School (Catholic, grades K–8, 285 students), St. Raphael School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 225 students), Montessori de Terra Linda (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 158 students), Star Academy (special education, grades 4–12, 89 students), The Helix School (special education, grades K–12, 43 students) and Fusion Academy Marin (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 23 students).
Parents talk
What San Rafael families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Rafael → 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.