Best Schools in San Rafael, California
37 schools · 19 Elementary · 2 Middle · 13 High · 3 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- 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%
30% 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
#304 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$118k
119% of California median
Schools in this city
23
About Schools in San Rafael, California
San Rafael, California is home to 37 schools, including 19 public schools and 18 private schools. The city's schools span 19 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 13 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in San Rafael show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in San Rafael is Terra Linda High with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Rafael is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 9,131 students.
San Rafael's community shows 52% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $118,151. The poverty rate in the area is 9.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 315 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 283 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 4 | 542 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 5 | 412 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 6 | 497 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 7 | 364 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 8 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 9 | 437 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 10 | 771 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.0 | ||
| Private Schools 9 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL
Private
175 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | MARK DAY SCHOOL
Private
392 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL
Private
188 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | GATE Academy
Private
62 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Mark Day School
Private
383 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Saint Isabella School
Private
246 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Marin Waldorf School
Private
128 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | Montessori de Terra Linda
Private
79 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | 15 students · Pre-K–T1 | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,040 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 593 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,205 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,302 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 120 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 61 students · 7th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 5 | 10 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 6 | 5 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | THE MARIN SCHOOL
Private
76 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | MARIN ACADEMY
Private
447 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | BOOST of Cypress School
Private
8 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Fusion Academy Marin
Private
13 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Winston Preparatory School
Private
29 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Star Academy - Shoreline
Private
20 students · 12th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | FUSION ACADEMY MARIN
Private
24 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 225 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | STAR ACADEMY
Private
81 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 9 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in San Rafael
San Rafael, California · 37 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.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 37
- Elementary
- 19
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 13
- Districts
- 4
- Avg Rating
- 6.3/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in San Rafael, California
How many schools are in San Rafael, California?
San Rafael has 37 schools, including 19 public and 18 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 6.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Terra Linda High with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is Sun Valley Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in San Rafael, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Rafael on MySchoolScout is James B. Davidson Middle with a composite score of 7.1/10.
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 8.5/10.
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 18 private schools alongside 19 public schools. The top-rated private school is Marin Waldorf School with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Rafael, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Rafael is 13.2:1. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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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.