Ring Mountain Day School

70 Lomita Drive

Mill Valley, CA 94941

50 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 04, 2017

This is a gem of a school - outstanding teachers, small class sizes, a warm and nurturing environment and the right balance between rigorous academics and art, drama and music. Like many other families, we've watched our daughter thrive here. The Harkness Method, used in the middle school, is a well-respected and highly effective program. I can't say enough about the smart, creative and capable teachers. They work well as a team with Ms. Flowers, and kids go on to top rated public and private high schools. We looked a long time before finding this school and we're very glad we did. Another plus - a great community of families. My child is happy and excited about learning.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

Hope this review helps! My daughter is a (G7) RMDS student. Founded in the 1970s and without peers, RMDS is the only Bay Area Middle School offering the renowned and highly effective Harkness discussion model. In fact, 100% of the RMDS middle school teachers have been Harkness-trained. Based on the Socratic Method, the Harkness Method was pioneered in the U.S. by Philanthropist Stephen Harkness who gifted in the 1930s the equivalent of $50 million to Philips Exeter Academy. Since its early inception at Exeter, Harkness is not a pedagogy, it's a way of life. It begins in the classroom and extends beyond it, to field, stage and common room. It’s about collaboration and respect, where every voice carries equal weight, even when you don’t agree. The Harkness Method has now been adopted in numerous schools and colleges (including Harvard Law School), where small class-sizes makes it most effective. The outcome is that RMDS students are highly sought after by competitive high schools in the Bay Area for the skills they have gained through their middle school preparation. Harkness described its use as follows: “What I have in mind is [a classroom] where [students] could sit around a table with a teacher who would talk with them and instruct them by a sort of tutorial or conference method, where [each student] would feel encouraged to speak up. This would be a real revolution in methods.” At Ring Mountain Day School, students are seen, heard and known. The focus is on putting students—rather than teachers—at the center of their own learning, on developing their inquiry and communication skills through discussion-based and project based, hands-on learning. Harkness trains students to become confident critical thinkers who are prepared for high school. The proof is that 92% of RMDS eighth graders are offered enrollment at their first or second choice high schools. Some quick facts about RMDS: •Small classes (12-15 students) foster authentic and warm relationships with teachers •Nearly 40% of RMDS families add to the school’s ethnic diversity •30% of our students live in San Francisco and use RMDS bus to and from school •RMDS graduates are currently enrolled in the following independent high schools: Marin Academy, the Bay School, Drew, Urban, Stuart Hall, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Marin Catholic, Lick-Wilmerding, and San Francisco University High School.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2017

We couldn't be happier to have found a school dedicated to nurturing well-rounded, independent thinkers with a strong community ethic, while at the same time capable of attending to a variety of unconventional learning needs.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2017

Our son has never been happier. Easily his favorite school experience.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2017

Ring Mountain is a special place. The teachers are outstanding and truly see each child in their uniqueness. The head of school Sarah Flowers is authentic, wise, and a solid leader. Parents are engaged and the community is warm and welcoming. We feel very lucky to be a part of such a progressive learning environment.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2017

- RMDS has a class size of approximately 12 students to one teacher. The class size allows Teachers to give individual attention to each Student; - Until 6th grade, two grades are combined (Kindergarten and 1st are in one class for example). This allows each Student to "float" to their level of knowledge, depending on the subject matter. This "bundling" also allows each Teacher to deeply understand the capability of each Child and to help the Student stretch to their maximum capacity; - RMDS' Teachers are caring, engaged and take personal responsibility for the enrichment of every single Student; - RMDS encourages Student mentor-mentee relationships. RMDS has school "Families" that lunch together. Bonds are developed between Students from every grade. Last Fall I witnessed a 2nd grader fall down and scrape her leg. She was crying and the next thing that I knew, a 6th grader shot across the playground and comforted her. Wow.; - RMDS is all about Family. Every Family is involved in supporting the school and volunteerism is a gift rather than an obligation; and - The RMDS eco-system has instilled confidence, critical thinking and optimism in my Child. I'm so happy to be a part of this Community.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

I have two kids at Ring Mountain (2nd grade and Kindergarten) and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. First, the teachers are absolutely amazing. They're warm, engaging, and make learning fun. The school leadership is also extremely supportive and provides the flexibility/resources to be the best they can be. For example, my 2nd grader is very advanced at math and the school allows him to participate in the 5th grade math section. We've attended other private schools where every student learns the same thing regardless of their aptitude, and my child frankly was frustrated, bored and disengaged. RMDS provides the opportunity for each child to thrive.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

Our son just started Kindergarten at Ring Mountain. We chose this school because we wanted him to have a K experience that was similar to what we had - gentle, nurturing, and creative, with lots of time for project based learning and movement. This school is also so thoughtful - for instance a sweet therapy dog rides the bus with the kids. Our son is exited to go to school every day - which is exactly what we were hoping for.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

We have had a wonderful experience at RMDS after our son transferred in starting in 3rd grade. The community was welcoming from day one, and our son has blossomed within the learning environment. His confidence has improved along with his academics. The school allows students to be themselves and to work out solutions together when problems arise. We highly recommend RMDS!
Submitted by student on September 17, 2017

I've been going to the school for six years and all the teachers are amazing. I love everything about the school.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

My child is in 5th grade now and has loved attending RMDS since Kindergarten. I love that the small community ensures that all the teachers know each student well and how each student learns most effectively. I'm confident that my son is receiving an excellent academic education while making good friends and understanding that teachers are there to help him grow and succeed. I love that it is a safe and caring environment at all levels.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

Every parent wants their child to be seen for the person they are and Ring Mountain's small class sizes mean our children are really known by faculty. I love that the middle school teachers know my young children. I love that they have special groups where teachers, middle schoolers, and elementary students all get to eat lunch together once a week. They also have weekly buddy times where older students and younger students read together or complete special projects. The sense of community is heartwarming.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

My daughter came here after a public elementary school and has had great personal attention and opportunities to really grow her capabilties, confidence and in particular communication skills
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2017

My son transferred to the school mid-year 2nd-grade three years ago. He left a larger school in part because his class at that school had bullies who could get a reaction from my son. He would be sent out of the classroom for getting upset at the way he was treated, while the behavior of the kids would rarely, if ever, be addressed. Academics wasn't an issue for him at all, just the social aspect of the school. We decided that what he needed was a smaller environment where the instructors actually interacted with the child one-on-one, addressing his/her learning styles. Ring Mountain was a blessing--my son continued to academically thrive, if not excel in some areas, but more equally important he learned how to be comfortable with who he is as a person, and understand that the "big reactions" were no longer necessary. He told us once after the move to RMDS that he had been asked to go the head of the school's office to talk. His fear was that he had done something wrong. What he discovered was that he wasn't been sent anywhere for "punishment", but was being invited to talk about ideas and the feelings related to those ideas. He was learning to be a person, as well as learning facts and figures. Our son is also a big thinker, always analyzing the world around him. He would often be told to be quiet at his former school, making him feel like his ideas were bad or average. At RMDS, especially because the kids eventually practice the Harkness method, his ideas and questions and verbal challenges were encouraged, teaching him to be a more critical thinker. Needless-to-say, we love this school. RMDS lacks a lot of bells and whistles that come with larger independent schools, but it excels in the ways that ultimately matter when it comes to helping a child learn and mature. Needless-to-say, our family loves this school.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2017

I have had two children at Ring Mountain over the years and have had an excellent experience. Ring Mountain is a jewel box of a small special place that supports children, learning, character building and citizen building. I feel privileged to have been able to offer my children an education in such a rich environment with so much specialized attention and a caring community. When I think of what my children would have gained in a larger school in terms of clubs and sports teams it is immediately outweighed by what my children did gain in terms of personalized education, being able to follow their passions, being inspired by teachers who love when they do for a living and being surrounded by caring adults in a compassionate community. My values my children developed and support system they had could never ben replicated in a larger school. Ring Mountain has had some bumps in the road in terms of past leadership but is currently led by an inspired and gifted educator who is carefully building the school to preserve its special small character, and vitality in today's rapidly changing educational environment and tech world. I would highly recommend Ring Mountain to a parent of an intellectually curious child who could benefit from the academic challenges and nurturing environment of a small private school.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2017

My son is in his third year at Ring Mountain Day School and we could not be happier. He is cared for and loved by staff and he has learned how to work with his peers to resolve conflicts, build farms, start a math club, and enjoy physical education. Ring Mountain is a terrific place for kids that prefer a smaller class size, want to build lasting friendships, and have a hankering for creativity and learning through direct experiences. As I observe the older kids, I see middle school kids that are getting into great high schools, are well-spoken, and in many cases transformed from kids who really didn't enjoy school to kids who love school. I also see discussions happening around sophisticated topics that involve solid critical thinking through the Harkness methodology. Lastly, I see older kids that care for younger kids and show them the way. - whether through classroom story time or the all-grade school play. I am excited to see how my son grows at this school over the next 6 years, both intellectually and socially
Submitted by other on September 27, 2016

Our son has attended Ring Mountain Day School since Kindergarten and loves it. He happily goes to school every day! The school's small class size and project-based, progressive approach have been a terrific fit for him, and we cannot say enough good things about the Head of School, Sarah Flowers - she is exceptionally committed to the school and to each student. Sarah and the teachers meet the individual needs of all students, even enabling students who are ahead in a subject to attend classes a grade or two above to challenge them. The parent community is warm and engaged, and we love being part of it.
Submitted by other on February 04, 2016

My daughter transferred to Ring Mountain last year and she is like a different child - she went from a kid who never wanted to go to school to one who can't wait to get out the door in the morning. She is happy, confident and thriving. This is the dream school for us. The head of school, Sarah Flowers, is excellent and makes sure that all kids get what they each need individually. Ring Mountain is a school where kids are challenged, engaged, heard, and nurtured. I love this school!
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

Our child previously attended RMDS, left for two years and has now returned. While painful to leave, the previous administration and excessive turnover were not working. But we always missed the great things about RMDS. Our child now looks forward to school, and says "Ring Mountain is awesome!" They have retained their small class size (12-14), low student:teacher ratio, discussion-based learning, and blending of age groups via different activities, but the school now has much more. Under the lovely school head, Ms. Flowers, the teachers seem to universally say they feel very supported. Not only have many of the strong teachers from the past stayed on, but a few new excellent additions have come; the whole staff is stabilized. As a middle schooler, our child interacts with many teachers throughout the day. Without exception, each of them is kind, thoughtful and respects each child s unique needs. From having school pets (dog, bunny, bird, chickens and fish) to weekly lunch in multi-age "family" groups, RMDS is nurturing. They have retained their strong academics, and place kids in excellent high schools, while adding warmth and stability.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

We moved our kid to RMDS in the middle of the school year. It has been an amazing transition. Not only does he feel at home, but we do as well. The spectacular Head of School, the responsive and warm teachers, the tough and lovable coach - and the spirit that is encouraged -- inclusiveness, hard work, inquiry and flexibility -- have all made the experience quite wonderful. It's worth checking out if a smaller, more individualized school is what you might be looking for.