Understanding Marin Catholic Tuition and Affordability

Marin Catholic High School, a private Catholic school located in Kentfield, CA, is dedicated to providing a college preparatory education rooted in faith, knowledge, and service. For families considering Marin Catholic, understanding the tuition structure, associated fees, and available financial aid options is essential. This article provides a detailed overview of these aspects, aiming to offer clarity and support to prospective families.

Marin Catholic: An Overview

Marin Catholic High School serves students in grades 9-12. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. Marin Catholic High School is a Catholic, co-ed college prep high school founded on the values of faith, knowledge and service. The young men and women attending Marin Catholic are dedicated, accomplished students, willing and able to undertake the challenges of a college preparatory program and anxious to make their unique contribution to the school community.

Tuition and Fees

The Marin Catholic Tuition for the academic year 2025-26 is $27,500 per student. In addition to tuition, there is an annual non-refundable fee of $1,600 due at the time of registration, which includes required textbooks. Tuition payments can be made in one, two, or ten monthly installments.

The Annual Fund

Each year, Marin Catholic asks parents to participate in the Annual Fund Drive through the Parent Pledge Program, a tax-deductible commitment. This pledge helps to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost to educate a Marin Catholic student. Tuition revenue alone does not cover the full cost of an MC education, leaving an approximate $3,400 per student gap. Marin Catholic requests all parents of incoming students to make a multi-year pledge of support to the Annual Fund. This ensures a known level of support for programs each year and helps keep tuition increases to a minimum. Every family’s financial situation is unique and MC is sensitive to the financial constraints of families receiving tuition assistance. The hope is that all families provide pledges/donations of varying ranges and sums.

All Annual Fund donors are recognized in the Honor Roll of Donors. The Cornerstone Club and President’s Circle level donors are invited to a Christmas season dinner with the President. All Annual Fund donors are celebrated in the Marin Catholic Annual Report.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Marin Catholic commits over $2 million in tuition assistance and scholarships for students each year. Families interested in financial aid should indicate "yes" on the application for admissions. The Financial Aid Application must be submitted through TADS. To be considered for financial aid, students must apply every year that they plan to attend Marin Catholic.

Understanding the Application Process

The application process changes from school to school, so contact the admissions office if you have any questions. The application deadline for Marin Catholic High School is December 5.

College Enrollment

Marin Catholic High School boasts a strong track record of college enrollment. Students who attended Marin Catholic High School enrolled in various colleges and universities.

Other Considerations

It's important to consider that tuition and fees may vary depending on grade, boarding status (if applicable), and may have changed for the current school year.

Comparing Costs: Marin Catholic and Other Private Schools

The average private school tuition in Marin County, CA is $27,479 for elementary schools and $34,712 for high schools.

Read also: Finding Jobs at College of Marin

Saint Hilary School Tuition

Tuition for one child for the 2025-2026 academic year is $16,920.00. Discounts are available for siblings.

Saint Hilary School Fees

Application Fee: $150
One-Time New Student Acceptance Fee:
- $1,650 per student (Grades K-4)
- $2,650 per student (Grades 5-8)
Annual Enrollment Fee: Includes school supplies and are per student, per year
- For grades K - 3 $465
- For grades 4 - 8 $610

All fees are non-refundable.

Saint Hilary School Tuition Assistance Options

Saint Hilary leverages all forms of aid available to our families. All families who wish to be considered for financial aid must apply to all three sources: The Saint Hilary Tuition Assistance Fund, Archdiocesan Family Grants and The BASIC Fund . Each type of aid has its process.

Saint Hilary Tuition Assistance

Saint Hilary School and Parish offer tuition assistance to families who need some financial assistance in order to provide their children with a Catholic education. The Financial Assistance Committee looks at each family's needs on a case-by-case basis and awards are based on the assistance budget for the year, as well as the number of families in need. Saint Hilary uses the financial aid assessment and application in TADS in order to review each family's request. If you have not completed your 2025 tax return, please upload your most recent year's tax return (2024) and when you have your 2025 W-2s or 1099s in January you may upload them to your TADs account.

The BASIC Fund

Each family must also complete the application for The BASIC Fund for the 2026-27 school year. The application will be available in mid-January 2026. The BASIC Fund is a privately funded program whose mission is to broaden the educational opportunities for students by helping low-income families afford the cost of tuition at private schools in the Bay Area. The BASIC Fund is available for new students attending a private school for the first time only. Siblings already attending the school and not receiving the BASIC Fund can be included as long as one student in the family is attending a private school for the first time.

Read also: Marin County Internship Programs

The program is available to students entering Kindergarten through Eighth Grade to attend private schools in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties. The program provides scholarships to help families send their children to the private school of their choice. The BASIC Fund scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and the income eligibility requirements.

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