The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District is a high performing K-8 school district serving families and students in the cities of Corte Madera and Larkspur, approximately 8 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, California. The residents of the Twin Cities community are very supportive of public education. The average per pupil spending is $9,300. Local revenue from business leases, a parcel tax and the Corte Madera Larkspur Schools Foundation allow the district to provide ample enrichment programs at its schools, including visual and performing arts, technology, science specialists, a variety of GATE activities, after school tutoring and homework clubs and foreign language to its students.

The district's Academic Performance Index is 924 and increasing annually, placing the district among the top ten percent of public schools in California. The staff is collaborative and compassionate. Together with an active parent community, they serve as catalysts for growth who inspire and promote well-rounded, lifelong learners and future citizens of the world through challenging, innovative, rigorous curriculum. Class size averages 25 (4-8) and 20 (K-3) students per class. Our district provides an extraordinary education through its commitment to meeting the needs of each student with safe and healthy environments and an engaging and inspiring curriculum, while at the same time maintaining fiscal stability, and promoting strong community involvement.

Snap Shot

• Elementary School: Neil Cummins Elementary
• Middle School: Henry C. Hall Middle School
• 1365 Students, K-8
• 80 Certificated teachers, librarians, administrators
• 74 Classified Staff
• Marin County population: 257,406
• Larkspur population: 11,724
• Corte Madera population: 9,120

If you are interested in more information on our district or you would like to compare our district with others in Marin County you may do so by visiting School Finder.

Vision

Our vision is to provide an extraordinary 21st Century education for every child and a positive, supportive, inclusive environment where each student can thrive.

Core Values and Concepts

Visionary & Collaborative Leadership

Our leaders, including Trustees, set direction and maintain a focus on students and positive learning climates, clear and visible values, and high expectations.Our leaders inspire and motivate teams, involve our community, collaborate and form key relationships. 

Student-Centered Education

In order to ensure our students meet their fullest potential, we provide a comprehensive, standards-based, differentiated curriculum, and opportunities for every student to be successful and engaged.We believe ongoing assessment of student learning informs our instructional practices.

Organizational and Personal Learning

We promote strategic thinking, innovation, flexibility and agility in response to changing requirements.We invest in personal learning through focused professional development for staff.

Valuing Faculty, Staff and Partners

Our success depends on the diverse backgrounds, knowledge, skills, creativity, dedication, and motivation of faculty, staff, parents, and community members.

Social Responsibility

We model good citizenship, ethical behavior and sensitivity to others, and promote each child’s success as members of a global society.We value diversity in our students and believe it enriches our inclusive educational program.

Focus on Results

We use data to drive continuous improvement in student achievement, develop short and long term priorities, and manage our resources effectively and efficiently.

Link to Strategic Priorities and Goals

21^st Century Learning Skills*

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Collaboration Across Networks and Leading By Influence

Agility and Adaptability

Initiative and Entrepreneurialism

Effective Oral and Written Communication

Accessing and Analyzing Information

Creativity, Curiosity and Imagination

* As referenced in The Global Achievement Gap (2009)by Tony Wagner.

Collective Commitments

• A Commitment to the Whole Child and a Learner-Centered Education

Our students master essential academic content and demonstrate critical thinking skills;exhibit a passion for learning; develop communication skills and a sense of personal competence and confidence; and acquire a commitment to civic and social responsibility. 

• A Commitment to Collaboration Through Actively Engaged Collaborative Teams

All staff participates in collaborative teams organized at every grade level, across grade levels, in and across department, within and across schools, and at the district level for the purpose of improving teaching and learning.

• A Commitment to Our Collective Responsibility for All Kids in Academics, Behavior, and Character
  

All staff shares responsibility for every student with the belief that every student deserves our very best.

• A Commitment to Data Informed Decision Making & Best Practices
  

Staff makes decisions supported by researched-based best practices and data rather than solely by opinion or conjecture.Data come from many sources including formal and informal assessments.

• A Commitment to Summative and Formative Assessments Established at District, School and Classroom Levels

Teachers regularly use teacher-made and published formative and summative common assessments to inform instruction, to evaluate student progress, and to determine intervention needs.

• A Commitment to Build Healthy Relationships

All staff constantly works toward creating a culture of healthy relationships among and between staff, students, parents, and community.

• A Commitment to Build Leadership and Shared Knowledge

Strong leadership, shared among staff at all levels, is critical to a culture of continuous improvement throughout our school district.