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Very Good

#111 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 6% of private schools

Terra Marin School

Elementary School

70 LOMITA DR, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Mill Valley

#1 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#60 of 1,102

About Terra Marin School

Terra Marin School serves 112 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Mill Valley's affluent Marin County community. This elementary school stands out with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, supported by 21 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide highly individualized attention to each child. The school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 64th percentile among California's elementary schools, placing it at #641 out of 1,790 schools statewide.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence in a supportive learning environment. Terra Marin draws families from one of California's most educated and prosperous communities, where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $206,580. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5.5% and median home values approaching $1.8 million indicate strong community investment in education.

As a regular public school, Terra Marin offers families access to quality education without private school costs while maintaining the intimate feel of a smaller institution. The school sits in Mill Valley's large suburban setting, surrounded by the natural beauty and family-oriented atmosphere that makes Marin County a highly sought-after place to raise children.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Terra Marin School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, Terra Marin School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Terra Marin School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$28,640
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$31,913
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.11x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
70%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$647,337

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 112 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Terra Marin School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Mill Valley, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
This School
vs
19.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
112
This School
vs
380
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
8.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 49.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 18.8% vs 0%
Asian 17.9% vs 0%
Black 9.8% vs 0%
Terra Marin School Mill Valley Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Terra Marin School (this school) 7.9
Edna Maguire Elementary 6.4
Mill Valley Middle 8.6
Park Elementary 9.0
Strawberry Point Elementary 8.9
Old Mill Elementary 7.8
Tamalpais Valley Elementary 9.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 112
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 49.1%
Hispanic 18.8%
Asian 17.9%
Black 9.8%
Two or More 4.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

70 LOMITA DR, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Terra Marin School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Park Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Strawberry Point Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cove (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Corte Madera), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mill Valley, see our Mill Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Edna Maguire Elementary Mill Valley 0.1 mi 6.4
THE HELIX SCHOOL Mill Valley 0.3 mi
Mill Valley Middle Mill Valley 0.8 mi 8.6
Park Elementary Mill Valley 0.8 mi 9.0
Tamalpais High Mill Valley 1.2 mi 8.8
Neil Cummins Elementary Corte Madera 1.4 mi 5.9
Strawberry Point Elementary Mill Valley 1.3 mi 8.9
Mount Tamalpais School Mill Valley 1.4 mi
MOUNT TAMALPAIS SCHOOL Mill Valley 1.4 mi 6.9
MARIN PRIMARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Larkspur 1.5 mi 7.2
North Bridge Academy Mill Valley 1.3 mi
NORTH BRIDGE ACADEMY Mill Valley 1.3 mi 6.0
MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL Mill Valley 1.4 mi 7.5
Marin Horizon School Mill Valley 1.4 mi
OAc San Francisco Larkspur 1.7 mi
Chronos Academy Lakspur 1.7 mi
Bel Aire Elementary Tiburon 1.5 mi 7.4
Cove Corte Madera 1.6 mi 8.2
San Andreas High (Continuation) Larkspur 1.9 mi 7.8
Terra Marin School Mill Valley 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$210,217

Median Home Value

$1,990,100

Median Rent

$2,949/mo

Population

32,349

College Educated

76.9%

Homeownership

66.6%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

45.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Terra Marin School has a median household income of $210,217. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,990,100, with a median rent of $2,949/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BERKWOOD HEDGE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 7.9
BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Westminster, CA 7.9
CARDEN CONSERVATORY Huntington Beach, CA 7.9
DREAM Academy Lakeside, CA 7.9
HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL Colma, CA 7.9
Loma Rica Elementary Marysville, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Terra Marin School

What grades does Terra Marin School serve?

Terra Marin School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Terra Marin School?

Terra Marin School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Terra Marin School?

The student-teacher ratio at Terra Marin School is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Terra Marin School rank in CA?

Terra Marin School is ranked #111 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Terra Marin School's MySchoolScout rating?

Terra Marin School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Terra Marin School a private school?

Yes, Terra Marin School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Terra Marin School a religious school?

No, Terra Marin School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,120/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mill Valley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
112
Gender Split
61% M / 39% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
MARIN
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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