Marin Horizon School

305 Montford Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 13, 2024

My daughter had the privilege to attend Marin Horizon School for 8th grade and her experience exceeded our expectations on every level. My only regret is not moving to MHS earlier. What most impressed me was how close the teachers, staff and administrators got to know her, and the dedicated coaching she received in every single class. This struck me reading the narrative from each teacher in the first report cards. It was clear they knew my daughter deeply and had worked closely with her to develop her strengths and push her in the areas she needed to grow. The school community was incredibly warm and welcoming, she had many new friends within days of joining the school and felt as if she had been there for years. This was clearly intentional, MHS focuses on fostering a sense of belonging, bonding with teachers, character building and strong academics. I highly recommend MHS and can see why they have been voted 'Best Private School in Marin' for many years. It is indeed the best!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2021

An excellent school and progressive education. Collaborative and multidisciplinary throughout and in the toddler/preschool/early elementary years it is Montessori inspired, and through 8th grade it is hands-on and very nurturing throughout. A supportive, inclusive environment for the student as well as the parent community. I truly don't think you'll find a more diverse and inclusive student body and faculty in Marin, including as demonstrated by its school partnerships. The school strives for academic rigor with equal weight placed on social-emotional learning. We've been at the school from pre-K thru 6th grade so far. It really fosters a love of learning, empathy, creative problem solving -- as well as an awareness of self -- that we think will prepare our son extremely well for high school, college and beyond.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2019

Our son entered Marin Horizon as a Kindergarten student and immediately felt at home. Now, as a Second grader, he loves school and every day comes home with a smile. It is a nurturing environment that combines fun with learning. Marin Horizon truly is a second home.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2018

The third grade was our first year, then fourth, and now fifth. When we moved to the area from the East Coast and shortly thereafter started school, we arrived to some school events a bit after they had started. Around the third time running late, I sighed to a parent, "We're the late family," to which he replied with a smile, "So, are we going to start labeling, now?" The wisdom in his warmth signaled to me that we were in a special place. Since then, I have grown used to a parent mentioning non-violent communication (also known as compassionate communication) or hearing a teacher-lecturer speak of labeling the behavior, not the child. The school seems to strike a common-sensical balance in so many realms (work/play; being little/growing up; independence/interdependence; events/breaks; strict education/social opportunities), and, in this busy world, our Marin Horizon students have taught us some practical mindfulness techniques. I get such a good sense and have a solid feeling of trust, having spent many days meeting most everyone, by now. The teachers are conversant in the whole child, even to the degree of keeping up with technology trends of Eighth Graders... and even to the degree of knowing that the whole child can be found in the midst of family and community.Our child had been labeled (gifted- "twice exceptional") and we had labeled ourselves (privileged-"wage slaves").Yet no one had given us any concrete means of how, through school community, to use these products. Marin Horizon gave us that, also! I'd say it "upgraded" us or "evolved" us as a family and as conscious and engaged citizen-neighbors. I have to admit, I am very proud to be a Marin Horizon parent!
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2018

My daughter attended for 11 years. She was mentored to be a strong student with skills that allowed her to be a successful and creative problem solver. Excellent school!
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2016

Marin Horizon School is a gift to education in Marin County.We have two daughters that entered Marin Horizon in middle school (6th grade) and our only regret is that they didn't begin their earlier. The school provides a learning and social environment that truly values each child, teacher, administrator and parent in a kind and nurturing way while providing a strong educational background. We absolutely love the school and the way it has transformed our girls into strong self advocates, instilled a love of all school subjects and self reliance through the amazing outdoor education program. We can't speak highly enough of our time at the school and only wish that it continued through High School!
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2016

We've been at the school for more than 10 years with two children. There's always a good reason for the homework given, whether if it's too easy, just right or too hard. Homework is to help with self-discipline, time-management, understanding of the subject, and/or for the teachers to gage student ability. I'd say the biggest challenge I have with my children's homework is to keep myself from doing them....because they look so fun.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2016

Teachers know the whole child and how best to teach to them. They were doing project-based STEM learning before it became trendy. Middle school incorporates "essential questions" such as "what does it mean to be the other?" Into the curriculum. I didn't do the rigorous analysis that middle-schoolers do until I was in high school. Drama is incorporated into the school day so all kids can participate in theatre or band and still play sports after school.
Submitted by other on April 22, 2016

Marin Horizon School provides a learning environment and experience that cultivates academic excellence, social emotional growth, self-awareness, environmental stewardship, creative inspiration, and critical thinking and innovative skills in truly joyful classrooms.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2015

Marin Horizon has been the best decision my husband and I could have made for our children. The individualized attention and team teaching has created a love of learning I only wish I could have had as a child. I am so happy every day to see the type of confident, self assured people they are becoming. I keep saying to friends the school just keeps getting better. There is not an Outdoor Education program that can rival Marin Horizon, I love the unique exposure and growth this offers my children.
Submitted by principal on November 20, 2015

At Marin Horizon you will find a warm, collaborative group of educators and parents who share a goal of making a difference in the classroom, the community and the world. At Marin Horizon we believe every student is unique and has limitless potential for excellence. Our promise for all students who walk our halls is that their minds will be challenged, their hearts will be nurtured and their voices will be heard. There has never been a greater need for a school like Marin Horizon.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2015

We have been at the school for 6 years. We have been incredibly impressed with the teachers and the emphasis placed on the development of the whole child. My husband and I come from a lineage of public school teachers and I would never label myself a "private school" person, but rather a "Marin Horizon School" person. I respectfully disagree with past posters that state our education is not up to par. I'm not sure what metrics they are using to judge this, but the school truly instills a love of learning and an intellectual curiosity that I have yet to see from my son's friends at public schools. In addition, over 75% of my son's class were in the school's pre-school program. We are 1 of 3 private schools with a pre-K program. It is only natural that attrition takes place after the pre-K program, but not of the magnitude these other posters describe.Our students graduate and move on to the best high schools in the bay area. These results are comparable (if not exceed) any of the private schools in Marin. Most important, our school produces good people... empathetic, kind, smart, innovative thinkers. Using mixed age and project based work in a diverse (both cultural socio-economic), the community and the curriculum finds the right balance between traditional education and real-life skills/collaboration.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

I agree with the person who posted previously. The education is not up to par compared to public schools in the area.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2013

I BEG YOU not to attend this school. Our family was treated with the most disrespect by the heartless admin. The parents could also care less about others who are being disrespected and hurt, esp our kids. The education is not up to par, esp. compared to local Mill Valley public schools. 70% of families leave after Pre-K. Again, PLEASE don't go to this school. PLEASE!!!
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2013

Marin Horizon is a small school with small year groups. The social pool that is available to each child is extremely limited, especially for boys in the elementary school years. As with all schools the quality of teachers is varied some are excellent and some not so much. This becomes a problem when your child has a poor teacher for two years at a time. The strongest aspect of Marin Horizon School are the parents who are friendly and extremely hard working on behalf of the school.
Submitted by other on October 10, 2012

I am a student going to MHS and i love it more than anything. I can't believe someone would write these bad things about Marin Horizon because it is not true and very offensive. Every teacher in this school works here because they care, not because they want money. Teachers find a way to make lessons very interesting even in the challenging subjects. In all my years at MHS i have never seen a bullying problem and love all my teachers. If you would like an amazing school with wonderful teachers i would go to Marin Horizon School.
Submitted by other on September 22, 2012

i am a student going there now and i think it is a great diverse school with teachers who care. There has never been a bullying problem. I am personally offended by people lying on this site and saying bad things about the school which isn't even close to being true. I have bonded with almost every one of my teachers and i can tell they really care, unlike other teachers at some other schools I've seen. If you re looking for a true review trust me, as a student to tell you the truth. I really recommend this school. At least check it out.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2012

This school is wonderful. The student teacher ratio is low. The teachers really know my child. The teachers, staff and management are totally accessible. (The Head of School is having breakfast or lunch with every parent in the school.)My child is thriving. Each classroom (at her age group) has its own outdoor space and the kids move in and out freely. It is an environment in which I and my wife (a child psychologist) feel our child is completely safe ... everyone knows her. All the parents look out for each others' kids. Most of all I am impressed with the level of maturity of the older students and their comfort interacting with adults. All in all a wonderful place.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2011

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 parent on May 19, 2011

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.