Marin Academy

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MA requires students to take two years of one of its performing or visual arts programs, four years of English, three years of History, three years of Mathematics, three years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, and one Physics course are required), and two semesters of Human Development, a health and social awareness class. In addition to classroom instruction, Marin Academy students undertake a number of non-traditional learning experiences such as minicourse,{{cite web |url=http://www.ma.org/studentlife/minicourse.aspx |title=Student Life: Minicourse |work=Marin Academy |accessdate=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224162300/http://www.ma.org/studentlife/minicourse.aspx |archivedate=24 December 2008 }} the Outings program,{{cite web |url=http://www.ma.org/studentlife/outings.aspx |title=Student Life: Outings |work=Marin Academy |accessdate=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224162306/http://www.ma.org/studentlife/outings.aspx |archivedate=24 December 2008 }} end-of-year projects (EOY), wilderness quest, and mandatory senior speeches or senior arts performances. Another unique program is the Marin Academy Research Collaborative (MARC), where students conduct independent research during their junior and senior years.[https://www.ma.org/why-ma/signature-programs/marin-academy-research-collaborative Marin Academy Research Collaborative] The student body sustains many socially conscious student organizations{{cite web |url=http://www.ma.org/studentlife/activities.aspx |title=Student Life: Activities |work=Marin Academy |accessdate=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224162239/http://www.ma.org/studentlife/activities.aspx |archivedate=24 December 2008 }} and has been active in politics in Marin.{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Upshaw |url=http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_5797877 |title=Marin march protests immigration raids |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2007-05-01 |accessdate=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223154634/http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_5797877 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Marin Academy group to register voters |url=http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_10752438 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2008-10-17 |accessdate=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223154701/http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_10752438 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |url-status=dead }} The school conducts annual conferences and workshops on equality and social justice, called the Conference on Democracy{{cite web|url=http://courses.ma.org/Conference/Democracy_Conference.html |title=Marin Academy Conference on Democracy |work=Marin Academy |accessdate=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828081538/http://courses.ma.org/Conference/Democracy_Conference.html |archivedate=28 August 2008 }}{{cite news |title=Marin Academy hosts talk on equity, justice |url=http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_8540403 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2008-03-11 |accessdate=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223154710/http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_8540403 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Tad |last=Whitaker |title=Angela Davis gives anti-violence speech to Marin students |url=http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_4494073 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2006-10-14 |accessdate=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223154757/http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_4494073 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |url-status=dead }} and has a tradition of seniors delivering speeches to school assemblies.{{cite web|url=http://www.ma.org/documents/handbook_0708.pdf |title=Marin Academy Student Handbook |pages=10 |date=2007–2008 |accessdate=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227000620/http://www.ma.org/documents/handbook_0708.pdf |archivedate=December 27, 2008 }}

Marin Academy has a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 15. More than two-thirds of the faculty hold advanced degrees. More than 99% of Marin Academy graduates go on to attend a four-year college or university.{{cite web |url=http://www.ma.org/aboutma/sch_collegeplace.aspx |title=Marin Academy: College Placement |accessdate=1 December 2008 |work=Marin Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703172632/http://www.ma.org/aboutma/sch_collegeplace.aspx |archive-date=2008-07-03 |url-status=dead }}

Travis Brownley, an educator who was the dean of the Groton School, was appointed the Head of School in 2008 following the departure of the previous head of school, Bodie Brizendine, who had led the school for 12 years, and Dick Drew, who served as interim head of school.{{cite news |first=Tad |last=Whitaker |title=New leader tapped for Marin Academy |url=http://www.marinij.com/ci_7939575 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2008-01-10 |accessdate=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221135328/http://www.marinij.com/ci_7939575 |archive-date=2009-02-21 |url-status=dead }} The Bodie Brizendine Leadership Center (BBLC), a centrally located building on campus, houses faculty offices, math classrooms, and the school cafeteria.

Marin Academy was involved in the 2019 college cheating scandal "varsity blues"{{Citation |title=2019 college admissions bribery scandal |date=2022-06-17 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2019_college_admissions_bribery_scandal&oldid=1093576797 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2022-07-08}} where parents cheated their children into colleges. Between two and three students from Marin Academy had parents who were involved including Todd and Diane Blake of Ross who pleaded guilty to the charges. Additionally, a member of Marin Academy's board of trustees, William McGlashan, was accused of conspiring to bribe and commit mail fraud in relation to the scandal.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |last7= |last8= |last9= |date=2019-03-12 |title=College admissions scandal: Here is everyone charged in the case |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-college-admissions-fraud-corruption-list-20190312-story.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-07-13 |title=Marin County couple latest to plead guilty in college admissions scandal |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/07/13/marin-county-couple-latest-to-plead-guilty-in-college-scandal |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}

Marin Academy has developed a strong athletics program, highlighted by successes in boys' and girls' soccer, cross country, boys' lacrosse, boys' water polo, and girls' volleyball. The school competes in The Bay Counties League (BCL) within the North Coast Section (NCS). During the COVID era, the swimming and water polo teams were members of The Marin County Athletic League (MCAL).

Marin Academy has won 11 North Coast Section championships in boys' soccer - 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 - and is a regular contender for regional championships. Girls' varsity soccer won the BCL and placed second in the North Coast Section Championship, losing to the Branson High School 4–2, in 2002. In 2006, the boys' soccer team won their third NCS championship in a match against University High School. Tied 1-1 through overtime, the NCS championship game was decided by penalty kicks, in which MA won 5–4.{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Ross |title=Prep soccer: Marin Academy wins NCS pennant |url=http://www.marinij.com/prepsports/ci_4645019 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2006-11-11 |accessdate=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091436/http://www.marinij.com/prepsports/ci_4645019 |archive-date=2007-09-29 |url-status=dead }} MA also defeated University in the BCL finals that year. In 2007, MA and University again matched up in the BCL and NCS championships, with UHS winning BCL and MA winning NCS 2–0. In 2008 MA and University were matched up once again in the BCL final and the Wildcats defeated the Devils 2–0.{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Ross |title=Prep boys soccer: Marin Academy pounds Head-Royce to claim third consecutive NCS crown |url=http://www.marinij.com/ci_10994700?source=most_emailed |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=2008-11-15 |accessdate=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223154537/http://www.marinij.com/ci_10994700?source=most_emailed |archive-date=2012-02-23 |url-status=dead }} The two schools are rivals.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.marinij.com/prepsports/2008/01/is_branson_vs_mc_the_best_riva.html |title=Is Branson vs. MC the Best Rivalry in Marin? |work=Prep Sports Blog, Marin Independent Journal |date=2008-01-09 |accessdate=20 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229041147/http://blogs.marinij.com/prepsports/2008/01/is_branson_vs_mc_the_best_riva.html |archivedate=29 December 2008 }}

The girls' soccer team has won the last 6 BCL titles from 2016 to 2022 (undefeated against league opponents in the last 4 seasons) as well as ones in 2002 and 2010.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} In 2019 and in 2020 they advanced to NCS finals against Cardinal Newman and to CIF finals against Branson, coming up a goal short in 3 of the games and a penalty kick in the other. In 2022 MA girls soccer won their first NCS title and in 2023, they won their first Norcal Championship.

The girls' volleyball team won the state and NCS division V championships in 2004, after losing to University High School in both the NCS and Northern California championship games the year before.{{cite web |first=Tawa |last=John |url=http://cifstate.org/sports/state/volleyball/04%20vb%20recap.htm |title=2004 CIF State Volleyball Championships Recaps |work=PrepVolleyball.com |accessdate=20 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205161448/http://cifstate.org/sports/state/volleyball/04%20vb%20recap.htm |archivedate=5 December 2008 }} In the 2022 fall season the team won the NCS title.{{cite web |last1=Woolard |first1=Holly |title=Marin Academy wins title in five-set thriller |url=https://www.marinij.com/2022/11/05/girls-volleyball-marin-academy-wins-title-in-five-set-thriller/ |website=www.marinij.com/ |date=6 November 2022 |publisher=Marin Independent Journal |access-date=9 November 2022}}

In the 2012 spring season, the Girls' Varsity Swim Team set the first North Coast Section record in Marin Academy history, with a time of 1:34.82 in the 200 yard freestyle relay.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} The girls placed fifth overall at NCS, first out of Marin County teams, and first out of schools with fewer than one thousand students.

The Marin Academy boys' water polo team placed first in NCS DII in 2017 after defeating Alameda High School 13–8.{{Cite web | url=https://www.marinij.com/2017/11/12/ncs-water-polo-marin-academy-boys-beat-alameda-to-claim-d-ii-crown/ | title=NCS water polo: Marin Academy boys beat Alameda to claim D-II crown | date=12 November 2017 }} In both 2021 and 2022 the team placed second in NCS DII.{{cite web | url=https://www.marinij.com/2022/11/12/boys-water-polo-terra-linda-powers-up-for-ncs-title-win-over-marin-academy/ | title=Boys water polo: Terra Linda powers up for NCS title win over Marin Academy | date=13 November 2022 }} In 2024, they again placed first in NCS DII after defeating Cardinal Newman in the championship game.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Derek |title=Boys water polo: Work pays off for Marin Academy in NCS championship |url=https://www.marinij.com/2024/11/16/boys-water-polo-work-pays-off-for-marin-academy-in-ncs-championship/ |website=Marin Independent Journal |publisher=Marin Independent Journal |date=17 November 2024}}

The Marin Academy Cross Country team placed first in NCS DII in 2015 and placed second in the California State Championships D V in both 2013 and 2015.

Current athletics offered include (but are not limited to):{{Cite web |url=https://www.ma.org/page/athletics/athletics- |title=Marin Academy Athletics |access-date=2017-03-13 |archive-date=2016-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226185931/http://www.ma.org/page/athletics/athletics- |url-status=dead }}

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Fall Sports

• Cross Country
• Girls' Volleyball
• Boys' and Girls' Waterpolo
• Girls' Tennis
• Girls' Golf [https://www.ma.org/athletics/athletic-teams/team-details/~athletics-team-id/166 Marin Academy Golf - Varsity Girls]

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Winter Sports

• Boys' and Girls' Basketball
• Boys' and Girls' Soccer

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Spring Sports

• Baseball
• Boys' and Girls' Swimming
• Boys' and Girls' Lacrosse
• Boys' and Girls' Track and Field
• Boys' Golf
• Boys' Tennis

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The following people attended Marin Academy (the year shown is their year of graduation or, for non-graduates, the year that their class graduated)

• Rozzi Crane ('09) – singer-songwriter
• Buck Ellison ('06) – artist
• Rumi Neely ('00) – fashion blogger at Fashion Toast{{cite web |url=http://www.fashiontoast.com/ci_12323388 |title=Fashion Toast }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Carré Otis ('87) – actress and model{{cite news |first=John |last=Morgan |title=Carre Otis Models Healthy Eating |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlighthealth/2003-02-24-carre-otis-_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=2003-02-24|accessdate=20 November 2008 }}
• Ruth Parasol ('84) – co-founder PartyGaming{{cite news |first=Tom |last=McAuley |title=The Sweet Smell of Success |url=http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/5518719?f=related |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025212958/http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/5518719?f=related |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-10-25 |work=CFO |date=2006-03-07 |accessdate=19 November 2008 }}
• Jason Rezaian ('94) – reporter for The Washington Post
• Peter Som ('89) — fashion designer{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Emerging-designer-Som-inspired-by-Bay-Area-2821541.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101210119/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Emerging-designer-Som-inspired-by-Bay-Area-2821541.php |archivedate=January 1, 2023 |first=Sylvia |last=Rubin |title=Emerging designer Som inspired by Bay Area |work=SFGATE |date=2002-05-19 |accessdate=January 1, 2023 }}
• Dylan Penn ('09) - actress{{cite journal|last1=Collie|first1=Mary|title=Sean Penn Visits Marin Academy|journal=Marin Academy Nexus|date=Fall 2009|page=7|url=http://www.ma.org/ftpimages/553/download/Fall09Nexus.pdf|access-date=12 March 2024|archive-date=July 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728021939/http://www.ma.org/ftpimages/553/download/Fall09Nexus.pdf|url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.ma.org Marin Academy website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050528121939/http://courses.ma.org/ Archive of Academic Courses]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828081538/http://courses.ma.org/Conference/Democracy_Conference.html Homepage for Marin Academy's Conference on Democracy]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080922033103/http://courses.ma.org/Voice/Voice.html Marin Academy Voice - Student Newspaper]

{{Marin County, California Schools}}

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Category:High schools in Marin County, California

Category:Private high schools in California

Category:Education in San Rafael, California

Category:Buildings and structures in San Rafael, California

Category:Educational institutions established in 1971

Category:1971 establishments in California