Original Research by School Decision on San Andreas High (continuation)
San Andreas High in Larkspur is an alternative continuation high school, meaning it serves students in grades 10 through 12 who have left or are at risk in traditional high school settings. The enrollment is small, with the senior class substantially larger than the junior and sophomore classes. Just over a third of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school's racial composition is predominantly white, with a meaningful Hispanic representation and smaller numbers of Black and Asian students.
The school's test results are quite low. On the most recent state assessments, proficiency in English language arts fell below one-fifth of students, and proficiency in math was in the single digits. Science performance was comparable to English language arts. These numbers reflect both the nature of continuation schools, which typically enroll students facing significant barriers to academic progress, and the particular needs of this population. A parent looking at San Andreas should understand that the school is not designed as a pathway to high academic proficiency measured by state tests; rather, it serves a role in keeping students enrolled and moving toward graduation when the traditional high school environment has not worked for them.
The district, Tamalpais Union High, is navigating substantial challenges. Enrollment across the district has declined sharply over the past several years, and the decline is expected to continue, putting pressure on budgets and staffing. The district has proposed consolidating its two alternative schools, Tamiscal and San Andreas, which would reshape how alternative education is delivered across the district. Families considering San Andreas should be aware that the district is in the midst of cost containment and restructuring; the school's configuration and program offerings may change as these conversations continue.
Tamalpais Union High also recently narrowed a bond measure from a much larger proposal to a smaller facilities bond approved by voters, meaning that major capital improvements to campuses were not funded. The district has maintained a parcel tax since 2020, which is currently set to expire in 2029; voters are expected to consider a renewal in November 2026. Both the parcel tax and any future bond measures affect the property tax burden on families in the district.
Larkspur itself is a small, affluent Marin County city built around a historic downtown along Magnolia Avenue, with early-20th-century commercial buildings and tree-lined residential neighborhoods. The downtown is highly walkable, home to the Larkspur Library and the restored Lark Theater, and draws locals to boutiques and established restaurants. Neighborhoods such as Baltimore Park and Heather Gardens offer quieter, leafy streets. Housing costs are high; median home values are well above state and national benchmarks, and monthly rents are also elevated. The city has recently adopted a new housing element targeting infill and transit-oriented growth, with the Larkspur Landing area near the ferry and the new SMART rail station identified as a preferred location for housing.
Health care is a significant local employment sector through MarinHealth, with clinics in the area, and downtown retail and the Marin Country Mart shopping center at Larkspur Landing anchor other employment. The ferry terminal and the new SMART Larkspur station, opened in late 2024, connect residents to San Francisco and the broader Bay Area.
For a family considering San Andreas High, the key factors are the school's role as an alternative program for students outside the traditional pathway, the low state proficiency results that reflect its population's needs and challenges, and the district-wide restructuring driven by enrollment decline and budget pressure. This is a school for students who have struggled in or disengaged from conventional high school, not for those seeking high academic proficiency or expanded course breadth. The district's uncertainty around program consolidation and budget constraints means families should engage directly with the school and district about their plans and timeline.
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