True Waldorf in the heart of marin

Founded in Fairfax, California in 1972, Marin Waldorf School is the only accredited Waldorf school in Marin County. Our school is grounded in the time-tested Waldorf approach to education, while striving to meet the world today with a holistic educational program that considers social justice, equity, diversity, and environmental stewardship throughout the curriculum. For more than 50 years, Marin Waldorf School has offered a vibrant, experiential, and interdisciplinary curriculum that blends math, sciences, art, music, performance, healthy movement, language arts, and outdoor education.

Marin Waldorf School offers a gentle play-based early childhood education program with parent-toddler classes, preschool, and kindergarten classes that honor the natural wonder and curiosity of young children.

Our approach to elementary and middle school education is distinguished by its emphasis on hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary learning, social-emotional skills, and artistic expression throughout the curriculum. Math, language arts, science, and world languages are taught in a progressively complex sequence throughout the grades program, with a curriculum that is carefully designed to stimulate and challenge children at each stage of growth.

Marin Waldorf School resides on a beautiful 10-acre campus in Lucas Valley, with a large playing field, a woodshop, a beautiful library, and three teaching gardens. Families are welcome to visit our oak-filled campus on the weekends and take in the magic of the scenery. We are located in San Rafael, just 18 miles north of San Francisco. 

Marin Waldorf Alumni

Top high schools choose Marin Waldorf School graduates for their strong academic preparation, social-emotional skills, confidence in the classroom and active engagement in the community. Our students consistently thrive in all high settings and show themselves to be examples of exceptional citizenship and their chosen high school.

Marin Waldorf graduates enter local and regional high schools equipped with intellectual curiosity and a love of learning. Our students have gone on to thrive at schools such as Marin Academy, San Domenico High School, The Branson School, Marin Catholic, St. Ignatius, The Bay School, Sonoma Academy, University High School, San Francisco Waldorf School, Summerfield Waldorf School, The Marin School, Credo, Marin School of the Arts and all Marin County public high schools.

Governance

Welcome from our Director

For more than 50 years, Marin Waldorf School has been dedicated to educating the next generation of children to become thoughtful, compassionate, and curious adults. From gardening to handwork to world languages, our rich curriculum places extraordinary value on purposeful work and hands-on projects, inspiring children to build, to create, and to express themselves artistically. 

You’ll find a culture of care and kindness across our school community, from the genuine bond between 8th graders and their 1st grade buddies to the joyous chatter of families meeting up at our monthly Community Coffees to the familiar smiles of young alumni who return to visit our campus during festivals and special events. Marin Waldorf School is a place where not only the children but the adults and faculty experience kindness and belonging. 

It is my deepest joy to be a part of this extraordinary community of teachers, staff, students, and families. Please take a moment to get to know us. 

Sincerely,

Megan Neale

Diversity Statement: AWSNA and Marin Waldorf School are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, protected genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other factor protected by law.

Our Governance Structure

Marin Waldorf School is a 501(c)3 non-profit preschool through 8th grade independent school, run collaboratively by three interrelated bodies: the School Director, the Board of Trustees, and the College of Teachers. These three governing entities work collaboratively to support our unique and comprehensive Waldorf education. 

The School Director

The School Director is responsible for directing and managing all pedagogical, curriculum, and teaching operations at Marin Waldorf School. The School Director is the chief business officer for the school, responsible for directing and managing all legal, administrative, financial and facilities operations and school-wide communications. 

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the legal governing body of the school. It focuses on developing policies and providing oversight to assure the school’s effective performance in three primary areas: legal, financial stewardship, and personnel and human resources. The Board has up to 14 members, which include current parents, teachers, and former parents or outside community members who have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to the aims of Waldorf education.

Board meetings are held monthly during the school year. Anyone in our school community is welcome to attend meetings to observe the proceedings. Questions for the board can be directed to Board Chair Tracie Pezzullo at boardchair@marinwaldorf.org.

The College of Teachers

The College of Teachers is a group of current faculty who hold the vision of Marin Waldorf School. The College of Teachers is responsible for strengthening the spiritual, pedagogical, and cultural life of the school, and for supporting the faculty’s decision-making process through thoughtful discussion of issues important to Marin Waldorf’s health and growth.