Historical Timeline
A Legacy of Learning
Celebrating Generations of Excellence
For 175 years, San Domenico has educated generations of students with a clear purpose: to prepare young people not just for what’s next, but for whatever comes next. Our history is a reflection of that commitment—rooted in values, shaped by innovation, and always evolving to meet the needs of the world ahead.
Explore the milestones that have defined our journey—and the values that continue to guide it.
1850
A Bold Beginning
On December 6, 1850, Sister Mary Goemaere steps off the steamship Columbia into the bustling streets of nascent San Francisco, completing a four-month journey from Paris that involved windjammer, canoe, stagecoach, and muleback. Her mission? To offer something radical for the time: a formal education for young girls on the California frontier.
In a modest adobe home in Monterey, she opens the doors of Santa Catalina—the new state’s first independent school—welcoming a small but determined group of students. With five sisters speaking three languages to 72 students, the foundation is laid for an educational community that values intellect, inclusion, and purpose.
From this courageous beginning, a 175-year legacy takes root—one that continues to nurture students with a global perspective and a deeply values-driven approach to learning.
1854
Expanding Horizons
Just four years after its founding, the school responds to California’s rapid growth by relocating to the bustling Gold Rush town of Benicia—then a state capital and cultural crossroads. Students and sisters make the bold journey by chartered schooner, bringing their commitment to learning and leadership to a new community.
Renamed St. Catherine’s School, the institution becomes a vibrant hub for education, empowering young women at a time when few opportunities existed for their academic advancement. This spirit of adaptability and vision continues to define San Domenico’s approach to meeting students where they are—and helping them go further.
1889
A Growing Community of Learners
Seeking to broaden access and deepen impact, the school crosses the Bay to San Rafael—closer to the region’s cultural and population centers. Renamed as The Dominican Convent, it grows into a dynamic educational environment serving students from kindergarten through college.
By planting deeper roots in the Bay Area, the school opens new doors for generations of learners to explore, reflect, and thrive.
1965
A Home for Learning and Wonder
On its 115th anniversary, the school finds its forever home—515 acres of rolling hills, wooded trails, and open skies in Sleepy Hollow. Renamed San Domenico School, this new K-12 campus offers more than just space; it offers possibility.
Once a cattle ranch, dairy farm, and even a bohemian theater retreat, the land is transformed into a place where students can think deeply, move freely, and connect with the natural world. The move marks a turning point in San Domenico’s evolution: a school grounded in tradition, now set in a landscape that invites exploration, creativity, and growth.
1975
Opening Doors, Expanding Perspectives
San Domenico welcomes boys to campus for the first time—starting with the youngest grades and extending through eighth grade by 1990—by broadening the scope of its mission and reaffirming its commitment to inclusive, purpose-driven learning.
This evolution reflects a belief that every child benefits from a diverse learning community grounded in shared values. By opening its doors more widely, the school deepens its ability to nurture empathy, collaboration, and mutual respect from the very start of a student’s educational journey.
1977
Excellence in Harmony
San Domenico launches the Virtuoso Program, offering passionate young musicians a pre-professional conservatory experience within a nurturing K–12 environment. Designed for students dedicated to serious musical study, the program combines high-level private instruction, chamber and orchestral training, and performance opportunities both on campus and beyond.
More than a training ground for future performers, the Virtuoso Program reflects San Domenico’s belief in the transformative power of the arts. Through discipline, collaboration, and creative expression, students develop not only their talent—but also the confidence, focus, and resilience to thrive in any pursuit.
1994
A Greener Way Forward
San Domenico formally launches Sustainable San Domenico, a pioneering K–12 program that weaves environmental responsibility into every facet of student life. Guided by UC Berkeley’s Sim Van der Ryn—known as the “father of green architecture”—and supported by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, the program reflects San Domenico’s deep-rooted commitment to stewardship and systems thinking.
Building on the school’s first Earth Day celebration in 1970, students continue to explore sustainability through science, economics, ethics, and daily practice. From composting in the Garden of Hope to analyzing water use and energy systems, students don’t just learn about sustainability—they live it.
2004
Investing in Possibilities
Thanks to the generosity of San Domenico families and friends, the early 2000s mark a transformative period of campus expansion—each new space thoughtfully designed to reflect the school’s commitment to the whole student. From hands-on science labs to athletic facilities and dedicated arts venues, these investments bring San Domenico’s vision of a balanced, purpose-driven education to life.
New additions made possible by the Campaign for Growth include the Sister M. Maurice Powers, OP Science & Technology Center (2001), Tamara A. Valley Athletic Center (2003), and the Carol Franc Buck Hall of the Arts (2004)—home to an art gallery, music and dance studios, and the Bettye Poetz Ferguson Hall performance theater. Around the same time, the Garden of Hope is expanded with a new outdoor kitchen, composting system, and more, creating additional opportunities for students to connect sustainability with everyday learning.
2009
Powered by Purpose
What began as a student service project becomes a transformative step toward campus sustainability, as San Domenico installs 3,358 solar panels—enough to offset 85% of the school’s energy use and dramatically reduce its environmental footprint.
This student-driven innovation reflects a core San Domenico belief: young people can be powerful agents of change. Five years later, the school is honored with the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon School Award for Excellence in Sustainability, recognizing its ongoing leadership in environmental education and action.
2011
Innovation with Intention
At San Domenico, technology is a tool—not a distraction—thoughtfully woven into the student experience to spark creativity, deepen understanding, and prepare students for a world where digital fluency and ethical decision-making are essential.
In 2011, SD becomes the first school in Marin County to introduce a 1-to-1 iPad program for grades 6–12, a move that sets the stage for a campus-wide culture of technological innovation. From designing prototypes in the 3D Makerspace Lab to exploring artificial intelligence as a topic of critical inquiry, students are encouraged to embrace emerging tools with both curiosity and discernment.
All of this unfolds within the unique context of the school’s expansive campus—where time spent in nature balances screen time, and where students learn to navigate the future not only with technical skill, but with purpose, compassion, and a deep awareness of the world around them.
2015
A Community for All
San Domenico extends coeducation into the Upper School, welcoming boys into the high school for the first time. This decision—unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees and the Dominican Sisters—reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive learning environment that mirrors the diverse world students will one day lead.
By becoming fully coeducational from kindergarten through grade 12, San Domenico strengthens its ability to prepare all students to collaborate, communicate, and grow alongside peers with a range of perspectives and experiences—ensuring that every learner is known, valued, and challenged.
2017
Tradition, Evolved
San Domenico reaffirms its mission by becoming an independent school no longer formally recognized by the Archdiocese of San Francisco. This thoughtful decision—made by the Dominican Sisters and the Board of Trustees—preserves the school’s ability to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in its Dominican heritage.
What doesn’t change is what matters most: our core values of study, reflection, community, and service continue to shape every aspect of student life. With an enduring commitment to inquiry, ethical leadership, and global citizenship, San Domenico empowers students to explore big questions—and live their learning with purpose.
2020
Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty
As the COVID-19 pandemic brings the world to a standstill, San Domenico draws on its deep sense of community, strong leadership, and the natural gifts of its spacious campus to weather the storm with resilience and care.
While most schools remain closed, SD’s boarding program continues to safely house 140 resident students, providing consistency and connection in a time of global isolation. Thanks to swift action and thoughtful health protocols, the full K–12 program returns to campus for in-person learning by October 2020.
This moment of challenge affirms what San Domenico has always known: that education is not just about content, but about connection—and that when rooted in purpose, community can thrive even in the most uncertain of times.
2022
Back with a Roar
After the disruptions of the pandemic, Panther Athletics returns with renewed energy—and a championship mindset. In a defining moment of perseverance and teamwork, the Women’s Basketball team captures the CIF Division 5 State Championship, bringing home the title and inspiring the entire San Domenico community.
More than a victory on the court, the win reflects the strength, discipline, and heart of SD student-athletes—who embody the school’s values of commitment, community, and resilience in every practice and every play. It’s a celebration not just of sports, but of spirit.
2025
A Place to Gather, Grow, and Compete
The grand opening of the Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP Community Center and Aquatics Complex brings to campus a vibrant hub for athletics, student life, and community connection. At its heart is a competition-size swimming pool, designed for matches, meets, training, instruction, and recreation. Adjacent to the pool, the community center building offers flexible space for classes, meetings, and shared experiences—a place for community members to gather, learn, and connect.
Named in honor of Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP—a beloved educator and trailblazer who helped shape San Domenico’s inclusive, values-driven community—the new facility reflects our ongoing investment in student wellness, holistic education, and a future-ready campus.
The Journey Continues...
As we mark 175 years of educational excellence, San Domenico launches a bold new strategic plan designed to prepare students not just for what’s next—but for whatever comes next. Grounded in our core values of study, reflection, community, and service, the plan outlines goals that will guide the school’s evolution in a rapidly changing world.
From deepening the student experience and expanding creative opportunities, to strengthening faculty support and securing long-term sustainability, every initiative affirms our belief that education must be both timeless and adaptive. While the future may be unknown, San Domenico students will meet it with purpose, compassion, and the confidence to lead.
