San Marin Sun - September 6, 2026

San Marin High School · Novato, CA

San Marin Sun

From Principal Boone

Our AP results came back and I want to share some of the good news. On an AP exam, a score of 3 or higher is the result that colleges look for.

In 2022, 315 San Marin students took 618 AP exams and 70% scored 3 or higher. This year, 452 students took 981 exams and 82% scored 3 or higher. More students taking the exams and more of them scoring well, at the same time.

A few places to look up close. Social studies grew from 233 students to 373, and its 3-or-higher rate went from 46% to 76%. US History is our largest AP subject at 125 exams, and 83% scored 3 or higher. Human Geography had its best year in five: 40 exams, up from 25, and 39 of the 40 scored 3 or higher.

English grew from 103 students to 153, and the share scoring 3 or higher went from 79% to 93%. San Marin students took 36 calculus exams five years ago and 64 this year, and in Calculus AB 75% scored 3 or higher with twelve students earning a 5, the most in five years.

Science students took 194 exams and 89% scored 3 or higher, led by Environmental Science and Biology, with Chemistry nearly doubling its exams from 19 to 36. In Physics, 82% scored 3 or higher, and in Computer Science, 84%. In Spanish Language and Culture, six of seven students earned a 5. Every one of our Drawing and 2D Art portfolios scored a 3 or higher.

Congratulations to the students who sat for those exams, and thank you to the teachers who got them there.

Andy Boone, Principal

The Mustang Way

Our AP results went up. That is worth saying out loud. It is also not the whole story.

One area we know we need to get better is how we support our English learners, and we have a team that is already moving this work forward.

Madeline Panacci is leading that effort. Our English learners are grouped by grade level this year for the first time, in a program built around academic language: the reading and writing a student needs to hold their own in a history or science class, not just to hold a conversation. Madeline also pushes into content classes, so the support reaches students where the work is actually happening.

Shout out to Madeline and to Shawna Torres for leading this work, and to counselor Karla Lopez and Carmen Moreno, our Community Liaison, for their work supporting our students, families, and caregivers.

ELAC meets Wednesday, and every family is welcome.

Nuestros resultados de AP subieron. También es cierto que no llegamos a todos nuestros estudiantes por igual. Un área en la que sabemos que debemos mejorar es cómo apoyamos a nuestros estudiantes aprendiendo inglés, y ya tenemos un equipo impulsando ese trabajo. Madeline Panacci está dirigiendo ese trabajo: este año, por primera vez, esos estudiantes están agrupados por grado, en un programa centrado en el lenguaje académico, y Madeline también entra a las clases de contenido para ofrecer más apoyo. Un reconocimiento a Madeline Panacci y Shawna Torres por dirigir este trabajo, y a la consejera Karla Lopez y a Carmen Moreno, nuestra enlace comunitaria, por su trabajo apoyando a nuestros estudiantes, familias y cuidadores. ELAC se reúne el miércoles y todas las familias son bienvenidas.

Coming Up

Full district calendar at nusd.org →

Athletics

Home contests are at San Marin unless another site is listed. Student athletes with a release time leave class early that day. Every team, every result, at sanmarinathletics.com →

ELAC

¡Familias de San Marin, acompáñenos a nuestra primera reunión de ELAC de este año!

Miércoles, 9 de septiembre de 2026 · 9:00 a. m. a 10:00 a. m.

Nos reuniremos en la oficina principal. Su voz y participación son importantes para nuestra comunidad escolar. Ofreceremos refrigerios ligeros. ¡No falte!

Preguntas: Carmen Moreno, enlace comunitario, (415) 798-5165 o carmenmoreno@nusd.org.

San Marin families, please join us for our first ELAC meeting of the year. ELAC is our English Learner Advisory Committee.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 · 9:00 to 10:00 AM

We will meet in the main office. Your voice and your participation matter to our school community. Light refreshments will be served.

Meet Our Community Specialist

Antwan "Banks" Williams is back at San Marin this year as our Community Specialist. His work is building community on campus. That includes one-on-one mentorship for students, restorative conversations between students or between students and staff, affinity groups for students looking to build community, and support for staff on nonviolent communication and de-escalation.

He is on campus Monday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Tuesday 12:30 to 3:00 PM, Wednesday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and Friday 12:30 to 3:00 PM.

"I am excited to be back for the 2026-2027 school year and am looking forward to all of the meaningful work, relationships, and community-building that will take place this year. Let's go, Mustangs!"

Antwan "Banks" Williams, Community Specialist

Counselor's Corner

The schedule change window closed on September 2. Counselors worked through more than 600 requests. Thank you for your patience.

Counselors present to every senior on the college application process in mid September, then hold senior meetings over the two weeks that follow. Seniors requesting letters of recommendation start with the brag sheet.
Letter of recommendation brag sheet →
Counseling resources →

College and Career

The Fall School to Career Internship application is open. This round includes sales, equine therapy, elementary education, and English language instruction, among others.
View internships and apply →

Mr. Glasgow, the Marin County Office of Education Career Liaison, is on campus every Thursday to meet with students about internships, volunteer opportunities, and career exploration.
Schedule a meeting →
Join his Remind group for deadlines →

STEM Marin

2026-27 Family Giving Campaign. STEM Marin depends on more than $65,000 a year for makerspace tools, biotech materials, field trips, 3D printing, and student showcases. Suggested donation: $250 per student. Donations of $250 or more receive an exclusive STEM swag bundle.
Give by Venmo →
Give by PayPal →
Give by Square →
Prefer check or cash? Payable to STEM Marin Fund, dropped off at the SMHS office or mailed to San Marin High School STEM Program, 15 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945.

Save the date: STEM Stampede. Saturday, November 14, 5:00 PM, Indian Valley Golf Course. A lively country-western evening supporting the STEM Marin program. Early bird tickets go on sale September 20; prices increase October 5.

Around Campus

Short week, full week. Get Data Confirmation done by Tuesday, and we will see you at Back to School Night on the 17th.

Go Mustangs. Go Green & Gold. 🐴