Instructional Continuity 2020-21

Our new schedule outlined below has incorporated many improvements based on feedback. We are reducing screen time on virtual Mondays and will have 60-minute classes online, stretching breaks, and a longer lunchtime. Mondays will also offer advising and virtual tutorials. On the in-person days, classes have been expanded to 80-minutes. We have added time on Fridays to allow for in-person advisory contact or study hall as needed.

MA athletics returned to action with the start of Season 1 on February 8. A detailed glance at the current seasons of sport can be found here. All MA athletic programming follows the guidance from the CDPH Guidance for Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports & Marin County Guidance for Sports. Any further questions may be directed to our Director of Athletics, Rob Rafeh. 

We also offer our MA Daily Movement Program from our Strength and Conditioning Coach Anton. These activities are designed for Athletes and non-athletes alike to find ways to be active and healthy in our daily lives. Jump onto Canvas and give it a try.

Through athletics offerings and an ever-evolving slate of outings, students can engage with peers across grade levels in sport or novel outdoor experiences. The club landscape is thriving, with over 25 student-led clubs convening virtually. In addition, our sixteen Identity and Equity groups (IDEQ) provide both open and affinity spaces for students to discuss and appreciate their own identities and the broad diversity of identities that make up our school community. 

While non-curricular experiences are available for all students, we recognize that joining established and multi-grade groups can be especially challenging for our new students. Beginning high school is complicated in the best of times—during a global pandemic and under strict stay at home orders, it’s particularly difficult. While we encourage all of our new students to throw themselves into the myriad offerings outlined above, we also understand that such a leap can be daunting. To that end, our Freshman Class Dean has solicited feedback, via a survey of our 9th-grade students, in order to create additional in-person social experiences for the Class of 2024. These include Community Action, Design Lab, and Hiking.  The groups are meeting once a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In mid-February, 10th–12th graders will have an opportunity to weigh in on additional experiences they would most like to see develop. We’re confident that there will be something for everyone! 

Yes, performing arts will continue. While these programs will necessarily need to adapt, students will be supported by master-artist teachers as they create and perform music, dance, and theater studies.

Teachers in our science department are committed to hands-on science no matter the schedule. Students will be provided the materials and tools necessary for completing high quality, engaging science both at home and on-campus.

Students who qualify for learning services support will still receive their accommodations and will continue to have access to learning services personnel for support and guidance. All families and students may continue to reach out to the Director of Learning Services, Rebecca Gustin with any questions.
 

Students will continue to have access to all of the library’s databases and online materials. In addition, the library staff provides both a curbside pick up and delivery option for print materials and limited scans of print materials upon request.

Yes. Sarah Janoff-Brinn will be working to support students and families all year long.

Yes! The 2020-21 Handbook is available here.

To protect our community all health and safety protocols put in the place by the school during the 2020–2021 school year need to be followed. A student who behaves in an intentional and flagrant manner that endangers the health of others, in particular related to the spread of COVID-19, will be subject to serious disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.

Although we are having to shift a significant portion of our program to an at-home, online format, the cost of delivering an MA education remains the same.  Ensuring that we remain in a strong position regarding compensation of our faculty and staff, cleaning and maintaining our campus, and supporting the necessary technology and administrative functions of the school, requires that we continue to charge the tuition that was published for the 2020-21 school year.  

We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant economic disruption for our community, and we expect more students may need tuition assistance in the coming academic year. Marin Academy has set aside additional funds for tuition assistance in order to meet the demonstrated needs of our students and families. Please direct all inquiries to Tuition Assistance Coordinator, Leslie Rojas.

Attendance in classes, assemblies, class meetings, and advisory is still required and will be recorded. Like all times, if there are extenuating circumstances that keep a student from attending, they should reach out to their teacher, advisor and/or class dean. Credit/no credit isn’t recommended as a general approach, but can be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We understand the importance of students’ building and maintaining connections with peers and have increased time on campus to provide safe spaces for this.  Clubs, IDEQ Groups, Outings, and Athletics all provide further opportunities for students to connect with peers. We have an active Mindfulness Group that welcomes all students, and our MA Daily Movement Program provides excellent opportunities  for physical exercise. Additionally, our school counselor, Sarah Janoff-Brinn, is available  to support students and their families during these difficult times.