San Domenico School Admissions Guide & Strategic Consulting
Guidance for Families Applying to California’s Oldest Independent School, K–12 Day and Boarding in San Anselmo
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including San Domenico School.
As Seen On
About the School
San Domenico School Overview
Founded in 1850, San Domenico School is California’s oldest independent school and the only K–12 day and boarding school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Set on a 515-acre campus in San Anselmo, San Domenico serves day students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 and offers day, weekly (“flex”), and full boarding options for Grades 9–12, including international boarding students. The school enrolls approximately 680 students with a roughly 9:1 student-teacher ratio, and is known for the Virtuoso Program, the only integrated, comprehensive pre-professional music program of its kind at any U.S. upper school, and a Green Ribbon Award-winning sustainability program built around a one-acre organic garden and the largest solar installation of any Marin County school.
Fast Facts
Location
1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (Marin County)
Type
Private, co-ed, K–12 day school with day, flex, and full boarding options for Grades 9–12
Enrollment
680 students (roughly 240 upper school day students, 140 boarding students, including 80 international and 60 domestic boarders)
Student-Teacher Ratio
Approximately 9:1
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Niche Ranking, California (2026)
#60 Best Private High Schools | #30 Best Private K–12 | #4 Best Boarding K–12
Niche Ranking, Marin County (2026)
#3 Best Private High Schools | #3 College Prep | #3 STEM
Standardized Testing
Not required or accepted (SSAT/ISEE) for the current application cycle
AP & Honors Courses Offered
34
Head of School
Paul Sanders
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); NAIS member
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at San Domenico’s admissions process and student life, see our full How to Get Into San Domenico School: Strategic Key to Admissions.
What Makes San Domenico’s Admissions Process Unique?
San Domenico has moved to a fully test-free policy: the school states it will not require or accept SSAT or ISEE scores as part of the application, a decision made to address inequities in standardized testing. That shifts real weight onto transcripts, three recommendation letters, and a roughly 30-minute interview.
Because San Domenico offers day, flex-boarding, and full-boarding tracks side by side, families also need to specify their intended track early, since boarding applicants go through additional steps, and international and domestic boarding families should plan for it.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Opens
August 17, 2026 (4:00 pm)
International Student Early Application Due
December 18, 2026
Grades 9–12 Day Application Due
January 5, 2027
Grades 9–12 Boarding Application Due
January 15, 2027
Grades K–8 Application Due
January 15, 2027
Grades 9–12 Boarding Admissions Decision
March 5, 2027 (4:00 pm)
Grades K–8 Admissions Decision
March 11, 2027 (12:00 pm)
Grades 9–12 Day Admissions Decision
March 12, 2027 (4:00 pm)
Grades 9–12 Day Enrollment Contracts Due
March 19, 2027 (12:00 pm)
Grades 9–12 Boarding Enrollment Contracts Due
March 26, 2027 (12:00 pm)
K–8 Leadership Meet & Greet
Late October
Upper School Preview Days
Late October and early December
K–2 Preview Day
Early November
Boarding Night for Prospectives
Mid-January
Grades 3–5 & Middle School Preview Day
Late January
Kindergarten Assessment Day & K–12 Info Evening
Early February
Revisit Days & New Family Welcomes
Spring (March–May)
[EMBED VIDEO: San_Domenico_Playbook.mp4]
San Domenico Application Requirements
To apply to San Domenico School, you will need to submit the following:
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01Parent Statement
The parent statement allows you to advocate for your child by highlighting their character and personal growth, providing the admissions committee with essential context on how your family’s values align with San Domenico’s core values of study, reflection, community, and service.
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02Student Questionnaire & Essay
The Student Questionnaire and the Bay Area Independent High School Student Essay are the two primary writing requirements for San Domenico upper school applicants. These components provide the admissions committee with a direct sense of your voice, allowing you to share unique interests and your approach to problem-solving within the context of the school’s core values.
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03Admissions Interview
The interview is a vital opportunity for the admissions committee to understand the student’s unique personality and interests. For applicants in Grades K–6, this consists of a parent/guardian interview, while students in Grades 7–12 participate in a 1:1 student interview. These conversations ensure your family’s values align with the San Domenico community.
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04Recommendations & Evaluation Forms
All teacher and principal/counselor recommendation requests are initiated via email through the Ravenna portal. Applicants to Grade 6 should delegate the Student Evaluation Form to their current teacher. Applicants to Grades 7 & 8 must delegate one form to their current English teacher and one to their current math teacher. Applicants to Grades 9–12 must delegate forms to their current English teacher, current math teacher, and school principal/counselor.
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05Transcripts
Applicants must upload academic transcripts for the current school year and the previous two years through the application portal.
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06English Proficiency Test
International applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency from any of the following: Duolingo English Test, IELTS, and TOEFL. For rising 9th graders, the recommended score is 4.0 (B2 Level) in TOEFL.
How Cardinal Education Helps
San Domenico’s test-free policy shifts the weight of admissions entirely onto transcripts, recommendations, and the interview—making each element critical.
Cardinal Education helps families navigate this selectivity by crafting standout recommendation requests, coaching for impactful interviews, and strategizing complex day-versus-boarding decisions.
For tailored support, see our San Domenico School Admissions Support for Asian American Families.
“My children love their new home at San Domenico, but it’s with the help of Cardinal Education that they were granted admission in the first place!”— Guardian of a 9th Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Domenico require the SSAT or ISEE?
Does San Domenico offer boarding?
What is the Virtuoso Program?
Is San Domenico a religious school?
Considering San Domenico School?
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