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 public elementary district that serves Belvedere and Tiburon is the Reed Union School District. Tiburon is the site of its three schools. They include 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, with class size averaging approximately 22 students. The graduates of Reed Union School District attend the Tamalpais Union High School District, and private schools in San Francisco, Marin County and elsewhere.

At the foot of Ring Mountain in an idyllic sunny setting surrounded by eucalyptus groves is the preschool of Ring Mountain Day School, an independent, co-ed preschool and elementary school. The preschool of Ring Mountain Day School is located in Tiburon.

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.

With a program that offers preschool programs, before & after school care, and summer camp, the Belvedere-Tiburon Child Care Center has three locations: 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. Fees and schedules and contact information is at http://btccc.org/.

Also serving preschoolers in both Belvedere and Tiburon is Strawberry Preschool, located on 240 Tiburon Blvd. 415-388-4437.

Also located in Belvedere are the Belvedere Nursery School at 15 Cove Road Place, 415-435-1661, and the Hawthorne Nursery School at 145 Rock Hill Dr., 415-435-9757. Belvedere Nursery School accepts 2 to 5 year olds.

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.

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