Best Schools in San Rafael, California
36 schools · 18 Elementary · 2 Middle · 11 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in San Rafael?
Use this page to compare every school in San Rafael by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Miller Creek Middle
Middle · Miller Creek Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Coleman Elementary
Elementary · San Rafael City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sun Valley Elementary
Elementary · San Rafael City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Rafael for 2026 are Miller Creek Middle (8.9/10), Coleman Elementary (8.1/10), and Sun Valley Elementary (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 17 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
36
19 public · 17 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,259,450
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
36
19 public · 17 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,259,450
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 7.8/10 despite 90% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.9 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among San Rafael schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +11.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Rafael schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Rafael
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 17 rated schools; 36 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miller Creek Middle | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Coleman Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Sun Valley Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Terra Linda High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Venetia Valley K-8 | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | James B. Davidson Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Glenwood Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Mary E. Silveira Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Lucas Valley Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Bahia Vista Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $118,151
- Median home value
- $1,259,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
37% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Rafael compares
California rank
#286 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$118k
119% of California median
Schools in this city
27
San Rafael's public schools split across 4 districts
No single ISD owns San Rafael. The public campuses divide among 4 districts.
The largest shares: San Rafael City Elementary (8), Marin County Office of Education (4), Miller Creek Elementary (4).
Among 17 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 8.9 — the spread is inside San Rafael, not a citywide average.
- San Rafael City Elementary8 public · 42%
- Marin County Office of Education4 public · 21%
- Miller Creek Elementary4 public · 21%
- San Rafael City High3 public · 16%
About Schools in San Rafael, California
San Rafael's public school system covers 17 ranked schools across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city averages 6.3 out of 10, a score that reflects real variation — five schools (29%) clear the 7.0 mark, while a cluster of others pull the average toward the middle. Parents will find meaningful quality differences depending on which neighborhood they land in.
The two high schools anchor the top of the range. Terra Linda High leads the city with an 8.4 out of 10, the highest score among all 17 ranked schools. San Rafael High follows closely at 8.3. Both scores sit well above the citywide average, giving families with older students strong options at either campus.
The elementary picture splits more clearly. Sun Valley Elementary stands out at 8.0, the only elementary school in the top tier. Glenwood Elementary reaches 7.2, also above average. The middle school layer shows James B. Davidson Middle School at 7.3 — a solid bridge between the stronger elementary and high school options. Parents focused on the K–8 years should map school boundaries carefully, since performance varies more at those grade levels than it does at the high school level.
For families researching San Rafael, the most practical frame is grade-band planning. The high school tier is consistently strong — both schools score above 8. At the elementary level, the gap between the top school (8.0) and the citywide average (6.3) is nearly two full points, so boundary research pays off early. With 29% of schools scoring 7 or higher, quality options exist across grade levels, but they are concentrated rather than evenly distributed. Checking which schools serve a specific address before signing a lease or purchase agreement is the highest-leverage step any parent can take.
Elementary Schools
18 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 771 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 315 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 |
| 5 | 437 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 6 | 364 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 542 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 412 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 283 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 |
| 10 | 497 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 |
Show all 18 elementary schools in San Rafael
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 593 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 1,040 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,205 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,302 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 3 | 120 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 4 | 61 students · 7th–12th | 3.0 | ||
| 5 | 10 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 6 | 5 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Marin AcademyPrivate 459 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Fusion Academy MarinPrivate 23 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Boost of Cypress SchoolPrivate 8 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Winston Preparatory SchoolPrivate 26 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in San Rafael
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 225 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Star AcademyPrivate 89 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The Helix SchoolPrivate 43 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | The Helix SchoolPrivate 38 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 9 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in San Rafael
San Rafael, California · 36 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$118,151
Median Home Value
$1,259,450
Median Rent
$2,628/mo
Population
72,230
College Educated
52%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Community Profile
San Rafael has a median household income of $118,151. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,259,450, with a median rent of $2,628/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 18
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 11
- Other
- 5
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in San Rafael, California
How many schools are in San Rafael, California?
San Rafael has 36 schools, including 19 public and 17 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Rafael, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Rafael is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Miller Creek Middle with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Coleman Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Miller Creek Middle with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best high school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Terra Linda High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve San Rafael, California?
San Rafael is served by 4 school districts: Miller Creek Elementary, San Rafael City Elementary, San Rafael City High, Marin County Office of Education.
What is the education level in San Rafael, California?
According to Census data, 52% of adults in San Rafael have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Rafael, California?
The median household income in San Rafael is approximately $118,151 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Rafael, California?
Yes, San Rafael has 17 private schools alongside 19 public schools. The top-rated private school is Brandeis Marin with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Rafael, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Rafael is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Rafael, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.