Grow Forth! by San Domenico School

GROW FORTH

SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL

The SD student . . .

Asks BIG questions guided by innate wonder and curiosity.

CELEBRATES the JOURNEY of learning as much as the destination.

Enjoys a HEALTHY BALANCE of academics, arts, athletics, and leadership.

Engages in SERVICE LEARNING to build a more just and equitable world.

STUDY • REFLECTION

COMMUNITY

SERVICE

Facts at a Glance

174 years of exceptional, purpose-driven education

680 K-12 students

400 9-12 students

280 K-8 students

30 minutes north of San Francisco

515 acres to call home

1-acre organic garden with outdoor kitchen, classroom, and performance space

6,500 annual K-12 collective student service hours

Transportation and lunch included in tuition

2,358 solar panels: largest school installation in Marin

32 athletic teams

16 sports

12 lane competition-size pool and state of the art aquatics center

2 NCAA competition-size beach volleyball courts and a junior-size court

New NFHS regulation-size soccer, baseball, and softball field

2,000 square foot 3D Makers Lab

1,000 square foot dance studio

3 visual arts studios

Renowned Music Conservatory with concert hall and 30 instrumental practice studios

5 playgounds

25+ miles of mountain biking and cross country trails

9 science labs

World class theatre program

Our Legacy

San Domenico holds the distinct certification as California’s first independent school with a tradition of innovation and academic excellence since 1850.

Guided by our mission, SD provides an exceptional education rooted in inquiry, reflection, and purpose.

As Marin County’s only K-12 school, we are proud to offer both day and boarding options for students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across the country, and around the world. The confluence of SD’s diverse community of international, regional, and local students, our expansive, bucolic campus, and our rich heritage of exceptional, purpose-driven education create an unparalleled environment for students to develop as scholars, leaders, and changemakers.

Leading the way in Purpose-Driven Education

Since 1850, San Domenico has placed college preparatory education and the pursuit of purpose at its core. When students see their education as meaningful to their lives, they are intrinsically driven to learn and their academic performance skyrockets.

Leading the movement to redefine the metrics of achievement, our graduates gain entrance to top universities and pursue impressive career paths precisely because they navigate with purpose, passion, and drive.

In other words, purpose and achievement are not mutually exclusive; it is their very synergy that creates the framework for students to reach academic and extracurricular heights they never dreamed possible.

“

Our ROSE project (Real Opportunities in Service and Education) gave us not only a chance to give back to the community, but also the chance to pursue a passion and delve deeper into an issue we hadn’t explored in our core classes. At SD, there’s a huge focus on finding what you truly care about and what you think you’re meant to do in this world. For me, that is mental health work. Through my research and work with my peers on campus, I was able to attend the AIM Scientific Symposium and presented my findings to 300 researchers on why peer-to-peer support and youthparticipatory research is so important. Through my ROSE project, I’ve felt like I have a voice, and I have SD to thank for helping me find my passion. I’m excited to continue my work, continue to support others, and present at more conferences! - ALEJANDRA S., CLASS OF 2023

”

Academics

Building the Foundation

At San Domenico, teachers create an environment where students’ voices are valued and shared. Each day, students are encouraged to ask questions and be active participants in their education. With ample opportunities for hands-on learning, small group collaboration, and choice in how they present what they have learned, students take ownership and pride in their education.

As students grow, so too does our curriculum. Lower School students build a solid foundation as they master fundamental skills and experience joy in learning. They receive instruction in analyzing concepts, problem solving, critical thinking, and executive functioning. Middle School students are further challenged with rigorous coursework and expanded elective offerings. In Upper School, students gain access to cutting edge, signature programs, including our Integrated STEAM program and Game Design Academy, along with an impressive array of AP and Honors courses. Across all levels, learning to learn is done so with passion and joy!

Academics Integrated Learning

Education becomes more meaningful, memorable, and fun when students experience topics across disciplines. This integrated approach, where subjects are studied simultaneously in multiple classes, allows students to explore concepts from various perspectives and helps them see the world as interconnected. This approach also serves students with a diverse range of learning styles.

“This year, our students developed a deep curiosity about bees, so we followed their lead. What began as an interest in facts blossomed into an enthusiastic crossdiscipline study of these captivating pollinators. The unit culminated in a showcase event in our garden where students celebrated their discoveries and hard work through songs, artwork, and excerpts of their published books. There’s nothing like seeing the kids build a memorable and lasting understanding of the world through integrated learning opportunities inspired by their natural curiosity.

- MCKENZIE CORBETT – FIRST GRADE TEACHER

Academics Finding Purpose

Infused into the fabric of SD’s academic program, the focus on a purpose-driven path is crucial to our graduates’ successes. Harnessing and building upon students’ innate curiosity and passions, teachers inspire students to become invested in their own education. Having access to our abundant campus resources, you can find students immersed in cutting-edge STEAM curriculum, embracing ecoliteracy in our seed to table garden program, or taking creative risks in our award winning performing and visual arts programs--the list goes on! Here, students learn that anything’s possible as long as they hold steadfastly to their personal purpose, act with courage, and respond with integrity.

“The culture at San Domenico creates an environment where you can push yourself and have the support to do so. I’m a person that has many different passions, whether that’s running, music, academics, or most of all, film. Having a space that’s challenging and provides a pathway to success is something really unique to San Domenico. One of my teachers told me, “It’s not just what you do, it’s how you do it”, and SD puts a lot of emphasis on that; it’s not just about the product that you create or the end result, but about the journey. Having that space here has led me to create things that are more interesting, dynamic, and meaningful than I would have been able to do elsewhere.

”- JOAQUIN F., CLASS OF 2024

The K-12 Advantage

At the heart of a San Domenico education is our K-12 community, culture, and programming. Unique in Marin County and a true differentiator, our K-12 School provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to feel nurtured and known at every stage of their childhood, to benefit from rich academic continuity through the years, and to experience longevity and depth in relationships with peers and teachers developed over 13 years. Our cohesive curriculum allows students to integrate and retain their learning without content gaps, achievement loss, or social-emotional disruption, which frequently occur when moving from school to school. As students progress through the grades, so does their sense of belonging, confidence, and trust in themselves and those around them. The result? Students are highly motivated to try new things, think outside the box, and achieve at their highest academic potential.

Moreover, they’re naturally inspired to be their best selves; our older students recognize that they serve as role models for the younger children, while our youngest students aspire to the successes of their older mentors. To foster this, we create intentional multi-age interactions and shared learning opportunities. Kindergarteners might partner with our High School students for a Human Biology lab, while 6th graders might partner with 9th graders in an integrated STEAM project. Our international boarding program also creates unique opportunities for cultural exchanges, developing in even our youngest students, global competencies and leadership skills they will carry with them to college and beyond.

This is my 13th year at San Domenico, and I cannot imagine how different my life would be if I had not come to this school. I feel such a strong sense of community here, unlike any other. San Domenico truly is my second home, and I believe it has strengthened my education to feel as comfortable as I do here at school. I am grateful everyday to feel like I am part of a family at San Domenico.

- DELANEY W., CLASS OF 2026

Character Education

Social-emotional growth and academic achievement go hand in hand. Our counselors and teachers work together to ensure seamless support and safe, respectful class communities for every child. In an approach drawing upon acclaimed SEL programs, students learn mindfulness, emotional regulation, and effective communication tools while developing healthy relationship skills, resilience, and problem solving abilities. Our proactive approach guides students and families through the inevitable changes and growth that take place from the earliest elementary years until they graduate from high school.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As a community, we are steadfast in our commitment to advocate for social, racial, and environmental justice. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to expanding student understanding of the guiding principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in developmentally appropriate ways. This work is a collective and ongoing process that requires a willingness to challenge our assumptions and biases, to be patient and honest with ourselves and others, and to exercise a growth mindset.

SD’s faculty, staff, and students critically and purposefully engage on campus and at conferences both regionally and nationally to listen, learn, and respond with integrity to the needs and challenges of our current time.

San Domenico is a community of belonging where students, staff, and families are dedicated to inclusion and respect for all.

Service Learning

Educate - Empower - Activate

Rooted in San Domenico’s values of study, reflection, community, and service, the Real Opportunities for Service Learning and Leadership curriculum invites students, K-12, to marry the age-appropriate processes of education through inquiry and purpose-driven action to serve their local and global communities in a meaningful way.

This process creates a reciprocal relationship between the students and the communities with whom they connect. Students learn through exposure, experience, and practice that true leadership comes through servicing those you lead while always keeping the “why” not just the “what” front of mind.

Community: Inviting Connection

At San Domenico, we build community around our shared values and desire for belonging and purpose. Being a part of our community for up to 13 years, each student and family are a significant thread in the tapestry woven over 174 years. Our strength and durability lies in the diversity of our families from near and far, and the many pathways and talents that lead them to us. We rely on all members of our community, from students and teachers to parents and friends, to sustain the magic and legacy of SD. You will undoubtedly find your place and establish lifelong long roots in our inclusive community.

Sustainability

A longtime educational leader in sustainable practices, San Domenico delivers a comprehensive K-12 ecoliteracy curriculum that places environmental stewardship at its core. Our expansive campus and our Seed to Table Program set in our Garden of Hope allow students to work and learn outdoors while naturally developing their reverence, respect, and care for the earth.

“Nature’s wisdom illuminates the way to sustainability, offering lessons in balance, resilience, and harmony. In the garden, we find the perfect learning lab where these teachings come to life, guiding us to cultivate and apply nature’s strategies for a sustainable future.

- SHELLEY FLINT, DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

The Arts

Create Something New

Whether honing painting skills in the visual arts studio, staging a performance in the Hall of the Arts, submitting films to Sundance, or studying in our world-renowned Virtuoso Program, there are no boundaries to our students’ creative passions. With multiple genres to explore, they will joyfully push beyond their own perceived creative limits and develop powerful personal expression and agency.

Music

Housed in our stunning Music Conservatory, our music program teaches students the joy of singing and music making while developing their musical appreciation, aptitude, and literacy skills. Regular instruction throughout the grades, both in school and in optional private lessons, sets the stage for increasingly complex musical explorations across genres, culminating in our acclaimed high school music programs.

Visual Arts

Beginning at the youngest ages under the guidance of talented faculty and culminating in AP Studio Art in our high school, students find their creative voice and experience the magic of artmaking. Classes emphasize foundational skill building and are infused with lessons in art history and visual literacy.

Dance

From classical ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary dance, our 6-12 program has it all! Our students experience the joy of personal expression through movement while learning technical training and choreography skills under the guidance of our professional dance instructors.

Theatre

Musical theatre, classical and modern drama, improvisation, comedies, tragedies, and everything in between unfold in our illustrious Hall of the Arts where SD students step into a variety of exciting roles, both on stage and behind the scenes, that further their development as performing artists.

Digital Arts

Here our high school students explore the intersection of technology and creativity, and discover the pivotal role of art in the digital age. From animation and game design, to screenwriting and film production, students learn the art of visual storytelling.

Athletics

It’s a Great Time to Be a Panther

Wins and losses aside, the character growth and enduring life lessons that take place on the field, trail, and court are invaluable to our students. From team building, wholesome competition, and leadership skills, to promoting compassion and camaraderie, SD sports provide the ideal arena for students to play, learn, and grow.

Our athletes train under some of California’s top coaches, all of whom have either coached or played at the collegiate level and whose passion and dedication has taken our sports teams to multiple BCL and State Championships

Beyond the School Day EXTra After Care Program

Our after care program offers K-5 students a fun place to land when the regular school day has ended. Monday through Friday, students explore, play, create, and study in a nurturing environment as they develop new friendships across grade levels.

PASE (Panther After School Enrichment)

For families seeking more specialized after-school programming, Panther After School Enrichment (PASE) offers options to explore new interests, hobbies, and passions. Activities have included cooking, coding, chess, robotics, math club, tinker lab, dance, volleyball, soccer, swimming, cross country, and track and field.

The School Bus

As part of San Domenico’s commitment to sustainability, we provide one of the most extensive school bus systems in the Bay Area, including service to San Francisco, the East Bay, and Marin County. The bus is available to all students and is included in yearly tuition.

To ensure a smooth and welcoming arrival at school, teachers greet students each day as they get off the bus. At the end of the day, teachers walk our youngest students to their buses, and escort them to their seats.

We offer

7 morning routes

7 afternoon routes

3 late afternoon routes

2 evening routes

Terra Linda, Sleepy Hollow

San Geronimo, Fairfax

Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, San Anselmo

San Francisco, Mill Valley

Novato, San Rafael

Oakland, Point Richmond, Greenbrae, Ross

Peacock Gap, San Rafael, Sir Francis Drake

College Bound

SD High School. Our K-8 program sets the stage for a rigorous, college preparatory high school program which includes 114 courses and 35 AP and Honors classes, 40+ clubs, 32 athletic teams across 16 sports, countless leadership and service opportunities, and an abundance of school spirit. It goes without saying that our students are exceptionally well prepared for college! At the same time, our students thoroughly enjoy their high school experience because they understand that it’s far more than a means to an end.

College Counseling

Our comprehensive College Counseling Program guides students each step of the way, encouraging goal setting, honing of interests, and seeking academic challenges that shine a light on their unique stories and potential.

SD’s college counseling philosophy and emphasis on “fit” was very helpful from the beginning of my process. I didn’t know where I wanted to end up or if I wanted a big school, a small school, or even a school in the US. My college counselor really emphasized research and helped me create a balanced list of schools, any of which I would have been happy to attend. This helped reduce my anxiety in the process, and I’m excited to attend my dream school in the fall.

- KYLE G., CLASS OF 2023

Acceptances/Matriculation 2020-2024

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Allegheny College

American Musical and Dramatic Academy

American University

Anglo-American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University (Tempe)

Art Center College of Design

Azusa Pacific University

Babson College

Bard College

Barnard College

Bates College

Belmont University

Bennington College

Bentley University

Berklee College of Music

Bethel College (North Newton)

Binghamton University

Boise State University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Brandeis University

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

Butler University

Cal Poly Humboldt

California College of ASU

California College of the Arts

California Lutheran University

California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo)

California State Polytechnic University (Pomona)

California State University (Channel Islands)

California State University (Chico)

California State University (Dominguez Hills)

California State University (East Bay)

California State University (Fullerton)

California State University (Long Beach)

California State University (Los Angeles)

California State University (Monterey Bay)

California State University (Northridge)

California State University (Sacramento)

California State University (San Marcos)

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Catholic University of America

Central Washington University

Champlain College

Chapman University

City College of San Francisco

City University of Hong Kong

Claflin University

Clark University

Clarkson University

Clemson University

Cleveland Institute of Music

Colgate University

College of Charleston

College of Marin

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado College

Colorado State University (Fort Collins)

Columbia College (Chicago)

Connecticut College

Cornell College

Cornell University

Cornish College of the Arts

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

CUNY Brooklyn College

CUNY City College

CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Lehman College

Dalhousie University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

Denison University

DePaul University

DePauw University

Dickinson College

Dominican University of California

Drew University

Drexel University

Durham University

East Carolina University

Eastern Nazarene College

Eckerd College

Elizabeth City State University

Elms College

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott)

Emerson College

Emory University

Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School

Fairfield University

Fisher College

Fisk University

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida International University

Fordham University

Fort Valley State University

Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin College

Furman University

George Fox University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Gettysburg College

Gonzaga University

Goucher College

Graceland University

Grinnell College

Guildhall School

Hampshire College

Hampton University

Haverford College

Hawai’i Pacific University

High Point University

Hiram College

Hofstra University

Hollins University

Howard University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Indiana University (Bloomington)

International Christian University

Ithaca College

Jackson State University

James Cook University

Kenyon College

King’s College London

Lafayette College

Laguna College of Art and Design

Landmark College

Lawrence University

Le Moyne College

Lehigh University

Lewis & Clark College

Linfield University

Long Island University (Brooklyn)

Loughborough University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University New Orleans

Macalester College

Macquarie University

Manhattan College

Manhattan School of Music

Marist College

Marquette University

Mars Hill University

Marymount Manhattan College

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Massey University

McGill University

McMaster University

Menlo College

Miami University (Oxford)

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Montana State University

Montclair State University

Moore College of Art and Design

Morehouse College

Morgan State University

Mount Holyoke College

Muhlenberg College

New Jersey Institute of Technology

New York University

Niagara University

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina Central University

Northeastern State University

Northeastern University

Northern Arizona University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Oklahoma State University (Main Campus)

Old Dominion University

Oral Roberts University

Oregon State University

Otis College of Art and Design

Oxford College of Emory University

Pace University (New York City)

Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University

Parsons Paris at The New School

Parsons School of Design at The New School

Penn State University (Harrisburg)

Penn State University (University Park)

Penn State University (World Campus)

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Closing)

Pepperdine University

Pitzer College

Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Park University

Pomona College

Portland State University

Pratt Institute

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Queen Mary University of London

Queen’s University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhode Island School of Design

Rice University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Roberts Wesleyan University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University (Camden)

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Rutgers University (Newark)

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University, Madrid

Saint Mary’s College of California

Salve Regina University

San Diego Christian College

San Diego State University

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Clara University

Santa Monica College

Santa Rosa Junior College

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of Jazz and Contemporary

Music at The New School

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of Visual Arts

Scripps College

Seattle University

Seton Hall University

Sewanee: The University of the South

Shaw University

Simon Fraser University

Skidmore College

Smith College

Soka University of America

Sonoma State University

Sophia University

Southern California Institute of Architecture

Southern Methodist University

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern Oregon University

Spelman College

St. Francis College

St. John’s University

St. Olaf College

Stanford University

Stony Brook University

Suffolk University

Susquehanna University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

Texas State University

The American University of Paris

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee

The Evergreen State College

The Juilliard School

The New England Conservatory of Music

The New School

The Ohio State University

The Peabody Institute of

The Johns Hopkins University

The University of Alabama

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Manchester

The University of Montana

The University of Queensland

The University of Tampa

The University of Texas at Austin

Thomas College

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity Washington University

Tufts University

Tulane University of Louisiana

Tuskegee University

Union College

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

University College London

University of Aberdeen

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

University of Birmingham

University of Bridgeport

University of British Columbia

University of California (Berkeley)

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Irvine)

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of California (Merced)

University of California (Riverside)

University of California (San Diego)

University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of California (Santa Cruz)

University of Chicago

University of Cincinnati (Main Campus)

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Denver

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Dundee

University of Exeter

University of Florida

University of Glasgow

University of Hartford

University of Hawaii at Hilo

University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Kansas

University of Kent

University of La Verne

University of Maryland (Baltimore County)

University of Maryland (College Park)

University of Massachusetts (Amherst)

University of Massachusetts(Boston)

University of Massachusetts (Dartmouth)

University of Massachusetts (Lowell)

University of Melbourne

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

University of Missouri (Columbia)

University of Mount Olive

University of Nebraska (Lincoln)

University of Nevada (Las Vegas)

University of Nevada (Reno)

University of New Hampshire (Main Campus)

University of New York in Prague

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina

School of the Arts

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of NorthernBritish Columbia

University of Northern Colorado

University of Oklahoma

University of Oregon

University of Otago

University of Pittsburgh(Pittsburgh)

University of Portland

University of Puget Sound

University of Redlands

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of St Andrews

University of the Pacific

University of Toronto

University of Utah

University of Vermont

University of Virginia (Main Campus)

University of Washington (Bothell Campus)

University of Washington (Seattle Campus)

University of Washington (Tacoma Campus)

University of Western Australia

University of Wisconsin (Madison)

University of Wyoming

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Wagner College

Wake Forest University

Warren Wilson College

Washington & Jefferson College

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Weatherford College

Wellesley College

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wesleyan University

Western Oregon University

Western University

Western Washington University

Westfield State University

Westmont College

Wheaton College - MA

Whitman College

Whittier College

Willamette University

William & Mary

Williams College

Wilmington College

Woodbury University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Xavier University

Xavier University of Louisiana

York University

Portrait of a Graduate

A graduate of San Domenico School will have cultivated and demonstrated the following qualities:

Effective Communicator

Graduates will be effective communicators, knowing how to use a range of mediums—from spoken word to digital platforms—to convey ideas

Strong Sense of Meaning and Purpose

Graduates will be able to identify goals that are meaningful to the self and consequential to the world.

Graduates will have the ability to identify and manage their emotions, develop healthy interpersonal relationships, and demonstrate a conscious, self-directed, and evolving experience of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Inclusive Collaborator

Graduates will work effectively with and actively seek out the perspectives of peers and adults from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints and work together with empathy, sensitivity, and compassion.

Through study, reflection, community, and service, through big questions, healthy debate, and thoughtprovoking conversations, San Domenico students graduate as confident scholars of the world, able to identify their purpose and passion, thereby meeting and exceeding the academic competencies required for success in college and beyond.