Wayfinder

Grades 9-12

Every student wants to be successful. But somewhere along the way, many find themselves disconnected from their learning. This lack of connection can show in many of the challenges we see in today’s schools: decreased academic achievement, declining mental health and wellness, and the lack of preparedness for the demands in and out of the classroom. Since 2019, San Domenico has partnered with Project Wayfinder, developed at Stanford University, to equip students with the tools and skills to create purposeful lives. The curriculum utilizes a wayfinding metaphor to help students connect their academics with who they are and what’s important to them. This collaboration has brought forth another layer of learning, as well, as the Wayfinder curriculum has been integrated into our Ninth Grade Human Development and Tenth Grade Myth and Meaning curriculum, further providing students with opportunities to develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their academics and in their lives.

Global Education

Grades K-12

As a global community of lifelong learners, San Domenico inspires students to joyfully discover their passions; develop the skills and knowledge to lead with courage, wisdom, and kindness; and make a positive impact in the world. Identifying as a global citizen and developing the skills to work cooperatively to affect positive change begins with building first-hand knowledge of and relationships with people from diverse communities, cultures, and backgrounds. This starts on campus with our international boarding community that brings perspectives from more than 20 countries into the classroom, enlivening discourse and enriching the student experience for our entire community. Curriculum choices also emphasize a global perspective, such as our Upper School Contemporary Global History Honors course. Traveling beyond campus is also a key component to a global education, with service opportunities and curriculum-based trips introducing our students of all ages to communities near and far. In Lower School, these experiences start with trips to local communities, cultural museums, and historic landmarks. In Middle School, the program expands regionally and nationally with trips across California and to Washington, D.C. In Upper School, students visit national parks, join Habitat for Humanity projects, and travel as far as Taiwan and Peru during our annual Spring Discovery week.

Interdisciplinary Design and Creation (IDC) Program

Grades 9-12

Our IDC program breaks down the traditional walls of the high school classroom and reimagines what education can be. Students from multiple disciplines work side-by-side on a single, ambitious project—mirroring the way professionals collaborate in an entrepreneurial environment. Each year, the IDC program centers around a shared, real-world challenge, such as designing and “building” affordable housing in Marin County—a project as complex and multifaceted as it is vital to our local community. Students enroll in a variety of specialized, UC-approved courses—with subjects ranging from finance to architecture to augmented/virtual reality—that all convene in the same room, at the same time, with learning driven by a shared, interdisciplinary project.

Game Design Academy

Grades 9-12

Welcome to the Game Design Academy, where students dive into the exciting world of game design and production. Through hands-on projects, students explore programming, 3D modeling, and interactive storytelling while developing real games using industry-standard tools such as Unity. Our curriculum combines creativity with technical skill, encouraging students to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate—with both peers and AI—as they bring their ideas to life. Courses culminate in the publication of original games showcased through schoolwide competitions, giving students the chance to share their work with the broader community.

Game Academy Website

Film

Grades 9-12

At San Domenico, film isn’t just something you study—it’s something you make. Our hands-on program trains students to think and work like Hollywood professionals from day one, mastering storytelling and production fundamentals while using industry-standard equipment.

Students pursue their passions—directing, cinematography, sound, editing, and more—immediately and independently, creating films that reflect their unique voices. From dramas and comedies to documentaries and experimental works, SD filmmakers make films for audiences, not for grades.

Student films have screened at more than 100 festivals worldwide, including Mill Valley, Newport Beach, Austin, and the All American High School Film Festival in New York City. Graduates have continued their studies at top film schools such as USC and NYU.

SD Student Film Portfolio

Service-Learning Capstones / ROSE Program

Grades 6-12

Service learning is deeply embedded in the K-12 San Domenico student experience, from course curriculum, to student clubs and field trips. In the eighth grade, the program is formalized with individual capstone service-learning projects, in which each student identifies an area of service that has meaning for them, develops a proposal to fulfill the community service requirement, and formally presents their Capstone Presentations to our community of faculty, staff, parents, and guardians in the spring. As Upper School students, this personal reflection and engagement with service continues with the ROSE (Real Opportunities for Service Education) Program. Students are introduced to the purpose and obligations of this graduation requirement in their sophomore year. As juniors, students fulfill a Social Justice course requirement, in which they learn the necessary skills to be scholars for justice and explore how service can empower and motivate others. Lastly, students are asked to practice being change-agents by identifying their access points and realistic resources to complete a service project of their design or choosing. Students present their journey through this process to the SD community at the Spring Senior Showcase.

RECENT Service-Learning PROJECTS

Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions

Grades K-12

At San Domenico, we believe that knowledge itself is not most important, but rather what one does with that knowledge to make the world a better place. In our Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions courses, students learn about cultural thought and belief systems, historical events, and theological concepts. They also dive deeply into philosophical questions, ethical dilemmas, and social justice issues. Throughout the program, students explore principles of decision-making; inquire into the spiritual dimensions of life; develop their understanding of what it means to be truly connected with themselves and others; and gain a sense of agency, as well as practical skills, so they can have a positive impact both locally and globally.

Ecoliteracy in the Garden of Hope

Grades K-12

Ecoliteracy at San Domenico extends beyond traditional reading and writing; it's about understanding the intricate web of life on Earth and our role in preserving it. The Garden of Hope—our one-acre garden tucked along a quiet creekside in the back of our 515-acre campus—is an educational haven where students not only gain insights into the environment, but also learn how to become its conscientious stewards. Through various subjects such as math, science, comparative religions, history, art, and virtually all aspects of the educational curriculum, the garden program strives to offer students a profound understanding of a fundamental natural process: interconnectedness. This educational approach emphasizes that nothing exists in isolation; every entity is intricately linked to others. From this perspective, we understand that each individual system is an integrated whole and, at the same time, part of a larger system. Our seed-to-table curriculum offers students practical knowledge about plant life cycles, sustainable gardening practices, and the cultivation and preservation of food. Through hands-on activities—including gardening, composting, and nature exploration—students develop an intimate understanding and appreciation of these ecological systems. By understanding and emulating the wisdom of nature, students not only deepen their ecoliteracy but also gain the tools to live harmoniously with the environment and promote a sustainable future for all.

Learn more about sustainability at SD

Virtuoso Program

Grades 9-12

The internationally recognized Virtuoso Program (VP) is designed for Upper School students who are exploring their potential as professional string musicians and wish to dedicate themselves to a rigorous academic and musical curriculum. San Domenico is the only upper school in the nation that offers an integrated and intensive music program, combined with college preparatory academics, that prepares students for music careers. Our VP students consistently matriculate to—and receive merit scholarships from—the best-rated colleges and conservatories in the nation, a testament to the particular combination of instruction and experience they receive in the Virtuoso Whether or not they pursue a career in music, Virtuoso Program graduates contribute to the community as professional and amateur performers, music educators, music therapists, and active patrons of the arts. Limited enrollment guarantees personal attention for every student. Students accepted to the Virtuoso Program may be eligible to receive merit scholarship funding. This remarkable opportunity not only provides an education of excellence for all deserving students, it also preserves the impeccable quality of the Virtuoso Program by freeing it to only consider students who demonstrate abundant talent and a vigorous commitment to their education and music.
Learn More about VP