Kindergarten

MCDS enrolls students who demonstrate the capacity and motivation to affirm the school’s core values of respect, responsibility and compassion and to find success in a comprehensive and challenging program. Selection among applicants depends chiefly upon the skills, talents and attitudes of the individual child. There is a wide range of ability levels in all areas of school life, supporting the school's goal of creating an environment which reflects the richness and variety of the community at large. Beyond this, the school strives for diversity in its enrollment and to achieve a balance of gender and geography (Marin and San Francisco) in the classroom.

Children who are not five years old by September 1, are not encouraged to apply; however, there is no absolute cut-off date. We have a developmental program which is appropriate for a range of children and ours is not the kind of kindergarten that makes waiting an extra year an automatic benefit.

Applicants to kindergarten who are siblings of children concurrently attending MCDS will receive special consideration in the admission process.

How to Apply

Families can request an application packet from the admission office by e-mail to admission@mcds.org. Please provide the following information:

  • Child's name
  • Grade applying to
  • Parents'/guardians' names
  • Mailing address
  • Telephone number.

The application packet will include the following forms to be completed and returned to MCDS before the application deadline (see "How to Apply"):

  • Application Form. A non-refundable application fee of $100 should accompany the application. This fee may be reduced or waived if it presents a financial hardship.
  • Student Evaluation Forms. Submit two evaluation forms to your child's current and former teachers for their completion.
  • Kindergarten Screening Location Preference Form.

Parent Meetings with Directors of Admission Jeff Escabar or Ann Borden will be scheduled after we receive the application. Parents will be notified of their appointment dates by mail and are encouraged to keep their assigned appointments because of the large number of applications received. If rescheduling is necessary, a limited number of dates will be available toward the end of the admission season.

Explanation of the application process is available in Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Evaluation Process

All applicants are screened to determine their developmental and social readiness for our kindergarten program. This is a low-key, informal observation performed by outside evaluators, MCDS Lower School teachers and the Directors of Admission. Evaluators provide the Admission Committee with comments and assessments. The application narrative, teacher recommendations and parent meeting provide additional information. The Committee makes decisions based on recommendations of the evaluators and the goals of the school.

Screening Appointment

Kindergarten screenings at MCDS are scheduled from December through February. Parents will be notified by mail of the dates and times for evaluation appointments.

Testing Elsewhere

Kindergarten applicants may be screened at another school. Applicants who are evaluated at another school will be scheduled for a group visit to MCDS. Parents or guardians of children testing elsewhere must arrange for the results to be sent to MCDS.

MCDS Admission Office

E-mail: admission@mcds.org
Telephone: 415-927-5919

We are happy to assist you with the application process.