Admission Policy

San Marin Montessori Pre School welcomes children of all races, religions and ethnic origins. Admissions will be on first come first basis. Tours are usually done at 10:15 am.

The first visit will be with parents only, and at this point parents will observe the classroom and talk with the Directress to understand the School dynamic and ask questions about the program.

The second visit will be with your child, parents are asked to sit in the classroom as observers and the teacher will spent time with the child to make him/her feel comfortable. An age appropriate material will be offered to the child. San Marin Montessori is a unique School with few openings, the only Pre School in Marin County that has two teachers for six children. Our goal is to make each parent and child feel that they are the most important people, and for us teachers they are. We nurture both, parent and child. San Marin Montessori provides a monthly newsletter, to always keep parents inform on what's going on in the School.

Click here to download an application form and bring it with you when you tour the school. Or email us here This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information or to make an appointment to see the School please call Magali Zimmermann Roche at 415 898-5922 License # 214200208

This is the final month of a wondrous two year experience for Ariana. She came into your care as a wide-eyed, timid, "clinging to mommy's pant Leg" little three year old and now exits as a self assure, confident, at home in the world five year old (well almost five). So I write to thank you for all you have done and all you are. I believe it "takes a village" to raise a child. Currently this is a popular phrase, but one with lasting truth as most parents come to realize along the way. I somewhat stumbled upon this truth after signing my daughter up at a popular preschool that most of my neighbors were sending their children to. My thoughts were of carpooling and community and after attending an open house it seemed like the right choice. I wasn't thrilled with the large class size but the teacher/child ratio was good; three teachers for 21 children. So my daughter started like all the others. But after three weeks it was clear that her separation anxiety was more extreme and lasting longer than any other child in class. The teachers were reassuring that it would improve but it was very disturbing to have to physically tear her from my pant leg while she screamed and begged me not to go. Let me just add here that my daughter has always been an easy child. So this came as a surprise. I asked myself many questions as I drove away. I tried to be logical. Having a new baby sister in the house was probably contributing, I reasoned. That had been an adjustment for all of us. But I wasn't working now and she was only going three mornings a week. Why was this so hard for her? Other children were doing fine. Some even seemed joyous to bid their parent's goodbye. I was determined to correct the situation, but I knew that the next school had to be right. No more trial and errors. I was too exasperated to go through this again. When things aren't right regarding your child, there is no peace. So I decided to leave her in school and use those three mornings a week to sit-in on a number of preschools. I figured I would accomplish two things. One, I would not give up to soon on the present school. Her teacher kept encouraging me that time would bring a change. And two, it would be confusing and difficult to bring my daughter along on these observations. These were the circumstances that led to my discovery of the vast differences in preschool environments. Though I narrowed my selection to Montessori schools (which share the same instructional philosophy) I was still surprised by the variation in environment, upon observation. Class size, physical space, requirements for attendance (some require 5 days, no exceptions), teacher/child ratio, meals provided or not provided, fees etc. I tried to keep my sense of humor and perspective. A part of me kept saying "it is only preschool." I began to worry about how I would handle bigger parental concerns if preschool selection was throwing me for a loop. Then I met you. While making mental notes of all the differences in preschools, I knew that in the end my intuition would hold the most weight. I almost cancelled my appointment to visit San Marin Montessori after considering the commute. But you were so nice on the phone. While driving to your school, twenty minutes from my house in San Rafael, I was sure that it wouldn't work. Now two years later, having made the 40 minute round trip commute twice a day for three days a week. I can't say I will miss the drive. I can only say it was worth it. I knew after only minutes that San Marin Montessori was the school for my daughter. I remember the most important thing you told me during the first meeting. We were discussing the value of a small group as I watched the children playing so well together in the yard. You said, "Sometimes a child can be very alone in a large group of children". You know, they have their whole lives to be in big groups." I flashed to that morning, dropping my daughter off at her present preschool with 21 three-year olds running around, and I realized that the noise alone was overwhelming. I thought also how a teacher/child ratio, no matter how equitable cannot compensate for that. And so my intuition, that afternoon was screaming out…."alas the search is over." So we began our journey with you. Though my daughter has learned more than I thought possible at her age, my husband and I have learned so much from you as well. I said earlier that it takes a village to raise a child, and San Marin Montessori has been a wonderful village. A village where we are brought together as parents for delightful holiday performances where we've learned to either pack along tissues or borrow from each other with unspoken assurance that we just witnessed something to cherish for a lifetime. I look around the room at such gatherings and I realized how much I appreciate this group of parents and children. How we are connected by what we found so special in you and how our children have learned such invaluable social behavior skills. Subtly these rules of behavior, respect for one another, acceptance for our differences, fair settlement of disputes etc… have been brought home to us parents. I cannot count the number of times that my daughter started a sentence…"Well, Magali Says…" Without a doubt it has always been the right way, the higher road. I have marveled at, and deeply appreciated, this attention to relationship that you bestowed on all the children. It has occurred to me that through our children you have created the village rules that have brought us together as parents. Sometimes I wonder, will we ever experience this continuity of social values so completely again outside your school. If not, I can only give thanks that it has occurred, and during such formative years for my daughter. Thank you for the regular teacher/parent conferences that kept us close to the learning process. Thank you for the excitement you bring to life for each changing season and the endless explanations you so patiently and masterfully weave throughout their days. If I had to pick two things that make you such a special teacher it's your love of the children and your love of learning. This is a longer letter than I started out to write. But my appreciation is great. Please feel free to share this with any parent of perspective students at San Marin Montessori. I hope that my early trials and tribulations with preschool selection may help another parent, who has experience similar frustrations, to know they are not alone and no doubt themselves. IT IS an important decision and the right match has meant more to us than we could have imagined.

Sincerely, Marilyn Lindsay