Marin Preparatory School

117 Diamond Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 05, 2018

We transferred here this year from a well-regarded public school after being told that our son would benefit from a more challenging curriculum. We now have a second grader and a kindergartener. So we went through the kindergarten tour process twice, and toured nearly every school in town (I feel for you, dear readers).I can't say enough good things about Marin Prep. First and foremost, my kids feel safe and happy, and they run into school every morning. The school community has been incredibly welcoming to us as a transfer family, and both of my kids were invited to playdates before classes even began. The social scene is warm and unassuming- no competitive parents or kids here.But we were most interested in academics, and we have been impressed. With two teachers per classroom and very small class sizes, our kids are having an amazing individualized learning experience. The teachers worked with us to make sure my son's transition to more challenging academic work was a smooth one. The "specialist" classes (art, science, PE, technology, etc.) are really fun and engaging.The Spanish infusion was the cherry on top for us. It has been easier than we expected for my son to transfer with no prior Spanish experience, and my kindergartener is learning the language so quickly! I can't wait to see what happens as this growing school moves forward. As a veteran of many kindergarten tours, I assure you this one is worth your time to visit.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

This is our 5th year at MP - so that says something right there. Our daughter is happy, learning things way above grade level, and looks forward to going to school. The faculty is dedicated, caring and on top of their subject matters. The spanish piece is amazing - my daughter has a crazy good accent and her command of the language continues to leap ahead every year. The parent community is engaged, fun and spirited - always a pleasure to be around. We are very happy we found Marin Prep!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2015

Our daughter started in TK at Marin Prep in 2012 and we've been thrilled with her progress. Simply put, she is thriving at this school. Class sizes are small and all classrooms have a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. This allows students to get focused attention. She is learning English and Spanish and we are amazed at the level of Spanish she has picked up in her three years at Marin Prep. The school uses the project based learning approach. The innovative teaching methods are amazing. Teachers focus on the interests of the children and capitalize on them to motivate their learning. For example, most of the kids in my daughter's classroom have become very interested in the Magic Tree House book series so the teacher created a book club focused on that to motivate reading. And the parents took initiative to build a tree house that is now permanently installed in their classroom, which is the perfect quiet nook for reading time. To quote one of my daughter's school projects, "My animal symbol is a butterfly because I changed from a shy girl to a confident girl." I credit Marin Prep 100% with her metamorphosis.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2014

We moved from overseas and while we looked at several schools, ended up choosing Marin Prep because we felt the warm and nurturing environment, a nice community, and the attention to individual needs at times which is needed that would be provided. We felt this throughout the admission process, but the wonderful thing is, the story post joining the school has been even better. There is such cohesiveness between the school and the parents. I feel there is great communication between the Head of the school, the teachers and the parents. As this school is building the years beyond 4th grade (the plan is to build to 8th), this community cares about making this place to be a great place that is inclusive. So many parents have reached out to see how we have been doing and to provide any help transitioning. The teachers have been amazing and there is such positive energy amongst all of them. Most importantly, our daughter is very excited to goto school and has transitioned very well. For those parents thinking of where to enroll their children especially after 5th grade, you may want to consider getting the kids earlier here as it really is a great environment that kids can thrive in.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Our son is in kindergarten at Marin Prep, and we just love the school. The teachers are nurturing and encourage learning beyond our expectations. The school is small and growing, so each student gets more personalized attention. Parents are involved but there s no pressure to be involved if you can t for any reason and beyond school, the after care program and school activities keep our son engaged and active. We couldn t be happier! Can t wait to see how the school develops as it grows!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

I have one child at Marin Preparatory School and am about to enroll a second. Marin Prep is a "newish" and rapidly growing school in a wonderful, central location in the city. The facility and classrooms are lovely (both Friends School and Live Oak launched in the same building, but Marin Prep plans to stay for good). The TK / kindergarten teachers and curriculum are universally regarded as amazing; we don't have direct experience yet with any of the higher-grade teachers. The Spanish-focused "infusion" approach of the school is maturing and becoming more programmatic across the school, and really does seem to cultivate strong language skills despite the lack of total immersion. Most importantly, the school feels like a warm, nurturing, and familial place to walk into every day. Everyone knows everyone else's name, the school administration is terrific, and the staff is becoming more tenured and more skilled as the school grows and evolves each year.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

Marin Prep is a small school which feels like a bear hug for the children. Because of its size, it offers a very tight school community (parents, kids, teachers, administration). Principal Jeff Escabar has brought a wealth of experience from his 20+ years at Marin Country Day School to offer further stability and excellence to what is already a great school. It's unique values are the Spanish-language Infusion model (vs. Immersion), TK program, beatufully warm and sunny space, and most of the all, the teachers.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2013

Marin Preparatory is a warm and welcoming environment for students and parents. The teachers actively work to evaluate and improve how students are learning. Parents are engaged in helping teachers! raising funds and building a strong community. Teachers and staff integrate Spanish language and heritage both inside and outside the classroom. The Marin Prep staff and parents find new extracurricular activities for students. This is a wonderful school and a great community to belong to.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

As we knew the public system would fail us, we applied to a few private schools. One of the other schools we had engaged with mentioned MPS and we went to check it out. It's been kind of surreal to be accepted to such an amazing school and community. We have been beyond pleased with the school! Our daughter is in a kindergarten class with 13 other students. In the few months that our daughter has attended MPS her reading has improved immensely and her Spanish is coming along nicely. Her teacher has created a really focused and balanced curriculum, so there is time for work and play. There is a strong parent involvement, with multiple ways to participate. I cannot recommend the school enough and look forward to seeing the school grow.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

Our daughter started Kindergarten this year at Marin Prep, and we couldn't be happier. Thankfully, our preschool director recommended the tour. I immediately knew that it would be a wonderful fit for our daughter. It has a very sweet, happy and engaged feel when you walk through the front door. There, you are met with the fantastic and dedicated teachers and administration, and welcomed by the involved and warm parent community. But most importantly, our daughter chose the "Spanish school" during her visits, and two months in she absolutely loves her school.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

Our daughter started in one of the 2 kindergarten classes this year and couldn't be happier- small class sizes, engaging teachers and staff, great communication between the head of school and parents. The Spanish infusion has been a really nice alternative to Spanish immersion. Our daughter has really enjoyed this aspect of it.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

MPS is a wonderful place. Because it's a relatively young school, we were unsure going in, but the joy that our child comes home with every day has assured us that the program is working. One of the greatest advantages is the student to teacher ratio, so we know that our son is getting personal attention and because his teacher is energetic, kind, and engaged we know it's the right type of attention. The Spanish component was a draw for us and it's also proved to be very successful. It's not immersion, but our son is picking up a lot of words and we are trying to do our part with him at home. The school building is bright and inviting and the balance between academics and arts can't be beat. As a parent there is plenty that you can do to participate, but you don't get a lot of pressure either so the community is welcoming. I think the addition of Escabar as head of school will help keep the school on an upward path and I'm excited that our child will be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

We just entered Kindergarten at Marin Prep with our boy/girl twins and couldn't be more delighted with the experience. There is an amazing set of teachers, a thoughtful and experienced new head of school and an energetic and optimistic parent community. There is something exciting about being part of a growing school and the fresh energy and creativity that invites. After the first week of school, our kids woke up on Saturday morning and expressed disappointment that there was not school that day. What better endorsement does a parent need!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

Marin Preparatory is a fantastic school! This is our third year at the school and our family's experience at the school has been wonderful. The teachers are incredibly devoted to their craft and they have created a fantastic learning environment. One of the key features that differentiates MPS from other independent schools is the emphasis on the Spanish curriculum. It is integrated as part of the daily learning and it is an important element of the curriculum. At the end of the day, the most important thing to measure is the happiness of the children and the learning environment they are in and MP provides this experience. We feel very fortunate to be a part of this community!!
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

We have just entered our third year at Marin Prep and couldn't imagine ourselves anywhere else. Our son is happy + confident, thriving on all levels, socially + academically, it is just such a positive and lively environment to be in, we feel our whole family has grown and benefitted so much from the Marin Prep community. We really do feel blessed, we are greated with the biggest smiles + hugs, everyday. There is just such an atmosphere of positive, happy, thriving children and a community commited to growing and enhancing the experience for all. The children, the teachers and the parents. We can't wait for the years to come as the community grows!
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

We moved to San Francisco from London UK December 2012. We looked at a dozen of private schools in SF and at first we didn't even consider Marin Prep, because we weren't interested in Spanish at all. However the relocation company booked us a tour and Marin prep and I went just out of curiosity. I found myself very impressed: great building, incredible atmosphere, healthy balance of "progressive" and "academic". Marin Prep made it to our short list (of 3 schools) and we took our daughter for 1 day "trial" at each of these 3 schools. After that we were totally convinced that Marin Prep is the way to go! It's been almost a year since then and not once we doubted this decision. Our daughter went through the second half of K and now she's in 1st grade. I can't say enough how happy our daughter and we are with the school. In addition to awesome facilities and highly professional staff, It's a great community of parents. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

We have been at Marin Prep for 2 years now and love it. It's Spanish infusion model has our son speaking Spanish, but not totally overwhelmed by the language as he would be in an immersion school. He didn't know any Spanish before Kindergarten and now it's his best subject. Other benefits to Marin Prep are the extremely small classes, responsive and experienced teachers, and a very friendly and welcoming parent body. Our Head of School, Jeff Escabar, is also a rockstar with clear vision for the future of he school and a lovely way with the kids.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2013

My son made a mid-year transition from a public K to Marin Prep. We were welcomed into the school community with open arms, and my son is thriving - he learned more (and shared more with me) in his first month at Marin Prep than during his entire previous semester in public school. We couldn't be happier with the school, and we're looking forward to helping build out the Marin Prep community in the coming years!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2013

Great news! Marin Prep in San Francisco has hired Jeff Escabar, admissions director at Marin Country Day School, as its new head of school. The parents are absolutely thrilled. From Marin Prep's letter to parents: "I'm so excited to join the Marin Preparatory School" says Jeff Escabar, incoming Head of School. "I've been a friend of the school for many years and this chance to build an innovative school in the heart of San Francisco is a once in a life-time opportunity. I believe the school's language infusion program is a unique experience for students and families. I can't wait to be part of this progressive and creative community." Escabar, currently Admissions Director at Marin Country Day School, is highly respected through his service with the Bay Area Directors of Admission (BADA) and as a Board member of the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP). Starting August in his new role, Escabar will be responsible for leading all aspects of the school, including curriculum, admissions, and administration. Just thought others would like to hear the great news. As anyone touring schools knows, Jeff is a great guy and a fantastic educator.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2013

This is our second year at Marin Prep and all I can say is WE LOVE IT. The teachers are beyond wonderful and responsive, the social, emotional, and academic growth of the students is unbelievable. It is a new school which makes for some uncertainties, which can feel a little emotionally bumpy for the parents, but the kids are oblivious. My daughter is so articulate and in love with science and math and art and everything to do with the school. Our second child is starting next fall and we can't wait.