School Highlights

  • View a video that highlights our school
  • 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 240 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.
  • Scores on standardized tests show that the longer a student remains at St Patrick School, the more they benefit from our superior education (read more).
Accreditations:

St. Patrick Catholic School is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). WCEA accredits Catholic elementary and secondary schools in nine western states (26 archdioceses) and the US Territory of Guam. WCEA co-accredits and is in partnership with three Regional agencies (WASC, NAAS, NCA) and two private agencies (CAIS and HAIS). WCEA began in 1957 in San Francisco and has a long and successful history of assisting school improvement through the accreditation process.

Western Catholic Educational Association

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 ~ Mathletics Program

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) ~ Annual Spelling Bee

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)