The Towns of Belvedere and Tiburon offer educational institutions geared to 3 to 14 year-olds, beginning with nursery schools, and on to Pre-Kindergarten and on up to 8th grade.
Why this younger concentration exists in these areas isnt clear, since the demographics indicate that older people reside in these municipalities. The median age of residents of Tiburon is 48 and Belvedere is 56. But clearly, the distribution of educational facilities throughout the southern Marin County municipalities has been designed to fulfill the requirements for excellence through its varied, respected and often award-winning schools.
The Reed Union School District (RUSD) is the public elementary district that serves Belvedere and Tiburon. Its three school sites are located in Tiburon. They are Reed Elementary School, 1199 Tiburon Blvd., 415-435-7840, Elementary school for grades K-2; Bel Aire School, 277 Karen Way, 415-388-7100, Elementary school for grades 3-5; and Del Mar Intermediate School, 105 Avenida Miraflores, 415-435-1468, Middle school with grades 6-8.
There are approximately 1,035 students enrolled in the district and class size averages approximately 22 students. After graduation, RUSD graduates attend high school in the Tamalpais Union High School District, as well as private schools in Marin County and San Francisco.
The preschool of Ring Mountain Day School is located in Tiburon, in an idyllic sunny setting surrounded by eucalyptus groves at the foot of Ring Mountain. Ring Mountain Day School is an independent, co-ed preschool and elementary school.
The Ring Mountain campus was completely renovated in 2000, and includes six spacious classrooms, two outdoor play areas, office space and a faculty work area. Ring Mountain Day School, Preschool Campus is at 445 Greenwood Beach Road, 415-381-8181. Located at 764 Hilary Dr. in Belvedere is St. Hilary School, a Catholic day school. St. Hilarys completed a multi-million dollar renovation in 2004 and serves Primary Kindergarten through 8th Grade students. The ratio of teacher to student is one teacher to every eight students. Approximately 80% of the 270 students who attend St. Hilary are Catholic and the other remaining 20% come from other Christian and non-Christian faiths.
Preschool programs, before & after school care, and summer camp are offered at the three locations of The Belvedere-Tiburon Child Care Center. Fees and schedules and contact information is at http://btccc.org/. Locations include: Preschool site, St. Stephens Church, 3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere, 415-435- 4501; Reed Elementary School, 1199 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, 415-435-4366; and Bel Aire School, 277 Karen Way, Tiburon, 415-381-2243.
Also serving preschoolers in both Belvedere and Tiburon is Strawberry Preschool, located on 240 Tiburon Blvd. 415-388-4437.
Also located in Belvedere are Belvedere Nursery School and the Hawthorne Nursery School. Belvedere Nursery School is located at 15 Cove Road Place, 415-435-1661. It accepts 2 to 5 year olds. Also located in Tiburon is Hawthorne Nursery School at 145 Rock Hill Dr., 415-435-9757.
To those lucky enough to live in Tiburon or Belvedere, many fine educational opportunities exist. For those below the age of 14, many of these opportunities are close to home.