about us
Mark Day School is an independent, co-educational K-8 school in San Rafael, California. Our mission is to develop well-rounded critical thinkers through a strong academic program, a kind and inclusive community, and a joyful learning environment.
Mark Day was founded in 1980 under the guiding philosophy to provide high-quality education in an atmosphere of love and care. In the 40 years since, we have continued to grow and innovate alongside the school traditions that make our community special. We have established four close relationships with schools across the globe and implemented an advanced media and information literacy program that involves professional-grade equipment like lighting, green screen, and sound booths. We meet twice a week every week for assemblies, creating moments to share updates, see cross-grade friends, and practice public speaking. And faculty and administration have attended countless hours of professional development to continue to educate themselves about the latest research in education.
Every day, we are guided by our mission, philosophy, strategic plan, and genuine love of learning. We encourage you to learn more about Mark Day School's academic program, student life, partnerships, and extracurricular opportunities that prepare students to become kind and confident self-starters ready to take on the challenges of their time.
Our Administrative Team
Each member of the administrative team has a clearly defined role that reflects the school's mission and goals. The team works closely together to manage the day-to-day life of the school and to plan strategically.
Joe Harvey
Head of School
Bonnie Nishihara
Asst. Head of School &
Dir. of Educational Design & Innovation
Dave Hickman
Head of Grades 5-8
Maggie Bendicksen
Head of Grades K-4
Fernanda Pernambuco
Director of Partnerships, Equity and Inclusion
Carrie Smith
Director of Student Life
Katie Kelso
Director of Admission
Bella Chang
Chief Financial Officer
Wendy Levine
Director of Development
Sophie Shulman
Director of Communications