School Highlights

  • St. Patrick School offers a faith-based, academic curriculum in a warm and caring atmosphere for students in grades K to 8.
  • While academic excellence and achievement is emphasized, our teachers provide a balanced curriculum that supports spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, and artistic development.
  • Our faculty encourages active learning and differentiated instruction to foster collaborative learning.
  • Our family-centered environment promotes and encourages parent involvement.
  • There are approximately 230 students in grades K-8, with an average class size of 29 students. Our students come from: Corte Madera, Larkspur, Tiburon, San Anselmo, Greenbrae, San Rafael, Novato, Kentfield, Mill Valley, and Sausalito.
  • After graduation, our students attend: Marin Catholic, St. Ignatius, Redwood, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Branson, Marin Academy, and San Domenico.
  • Our school is accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and colleges (WASC)
Differentiated Math Program

Standard and accelerated groups in 3–8 ~ Critical thinking skills ~ California Math Standards ~ Accelerated algebra in 8th ~ Strong foundation in basic skills

Language Arts Program

Sequential writing program ~ Spelling/vocabulary program ~ Strong grammar emphasis ~ Annual speech contest for grades 2-8 ~ County-wide speech contest ~ Creative writing and poetry in all grades ~ Research papers ~ Reading Renaissance (supplemental reading program)

Social Studies Program

Textbooks w/ technology component ~ Emphasis on study skills ~ CA Social Studies Standards ~ Geography and map skills ~ Research papers ~ Individual and group projects

Religion Program

Daily religion classes ~ Daily community prayer ~ Community service projects ~ Student-prepared Liturgies ~ Sacrament preparation (2 and 8) ~ School-wide Buddy Program ~ School-wide Clans ~ Altar Server program

Fine Arts Program

Music instruction in K-8 ~ 4th grade Choir ~ Choral Festival participation ~ Introduction to Classical musicians ~ Integrations with all subjects ~ Recorder instruction ~ Formal art curriculum in 1-8 ~ Experiential art ~ Variety of mediums

Science Program

CA Science Standards ~ Specialist teachers for K-3 ~ Specialist teachers for 4-8 ~ Hands-on demonstrations and labs ~ Integrated field trips ~ Emphasis on journal keeping and note-taking ~ State-of-the-art Science Lab

Physical Education Program

Two PE teachers for grades 5–8 ~ Separate PE for boys/girls in 6-8 ~ Lunch intramural program for 1- 8 ~ Sequential skill development ~ Individual goal setting

Technology Program

Laptop program for 1-8 ~ Integration with curriculum areas ~ Computer skills instruction for 1-8 ~ Emphasize use of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and iMovie ~ Technology Coordinator

Learning Specialist

Our Learning Specialist collaborates with classroom teachers to help ensure that each child is successful and working to potential by offering: enrichment opportunities ~ assistance to students individually or in small groups ~ developing accommodations or modifications to meet individual students needs ~ supporting teachers who have students with special learning needs

Thinking Center

Thinking Center is a program designed for students in Kindergarten through Second grade ~ It supports and extends learning for primary students in both math and reading ~ Students are taught to think conceptually and to be critical thinkers, understanding that a variety of methods can be used in seeking solutions to problems ~ Collaborative games and tasks help students master basic facts, addition and subtraction, and reading for details and understanding

School Library

Students visit the library weekly ~ automated school library contains over 5000 titles ~ librarian works closely with teachers to assist with research projects, and classroom themes ~ Reading Renaissance/Accelerated Reader Supplemental Reading Program ~ book selection is continuously expanded through new purchases

Outdoor Education

Sixth Grade: Walker Creek field trip ~ Seventh Grade: Marin Headlands field trip ~ Eighth Grade: Yosemite field trip

After-School Care

After-school care is provided in a structured program that includes snack time, play time (both outdoor and indoor play), and supervised homework time ~ the KinderCare program is offered daily in the classroom from Kindergarten dismissal until 3:10 ~ the Extended Care program is offered for all grades in the mornings from 7:15am to 8:00am and in the afternoons from 3:30pm until 6:00pm

After-School Programs

After-school Parish Choir ~ CYO athletics (basketball and volleyball) ~ After-school piano lessons available ~ After-school classes (chess, Lego, golf)