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 Believing that children are our most important resource, Dr. Kathleen Mecca, affectionately known as Kate, has committed her professional life to educating children, the leaders of tomorrow. She founded Mount Tamalpais Primary School on August 1, 1976. Her belief, then as now, was to instill
excellence and creativity in education by fostering a genuine love of learning. Most importantly, Kate has emphasized the importance for each of her students to reach their own full potential by recognizing their individual strengths through exposure to a solid academic foundation.
Mount Tamalpais Primary School opened at 550 Miller Avenue with sixty students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The commitment and involvement of the parent body helped to create an interconnectedness which resulted in a solid school community. This community immediately recognized the success of Kate’s program and encouraged her to expand the school through Eighth Grade.
In May, 1981 the school purchased a former Mill Valley public school site at 100 Harvard Avenue. This larger facility was extensively refurbished, enabling the school to expand through the Eighth Grade and to ultimately grow to an enrollment of 240 students. The school community generously supported this move, both with time and resources. Parents, faculty, and friends enthusiastically helped to move books, furniture, and even the play structure, from the old building to our  new home on Harvard Avenue.
Graduation ceremonies in June 1982 initiated commencement traditions with the graduation of two students. Thereafter, the beginning of many more traditions was established.
In 1987, the name of the school was changed to Mount Tamalpais School. The addition of the Rappaport Library Learning Center that year again reflected the shared efforts of the entire school community. This commitment to Kate’s dream was again realized in the construction of the new facilities. Founder’s Hall, named by the Board of Trustees to honor Kate, was dedicated in 1995.
Today, just under 600 MTS graduates have entered leading secondary schools, colleges and universities throughout California, the United States and the World. Through the education they began at Mount Tamalpais, Kate’s dream has surely been realized. These alumni have discovered their own inner strengths and resources which gave them a solid foundation to succeed in today’s world. MTS students have learned the value of hard work and the importance of setting high goals. Some MTS graduates have returned to teach at their “old” school. Through Kate’s commitment, through her vision and her wisdom, we have come full circle.
Dianne O. Simpson (Christopher '85, Kelly '89)
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