what’s the value of branding?

A strong brand helps students, families, educators, and partners understand how Marin Academy is distinctive. Branding clarifies the benefits of affiliating with our school and community.

Our brand is not simply our name, logo, or graphic identity. It’s the sum of the facts and emotions that come to the minds of our audiences when they hear or read about Marin Academy. While the concept of brand building can be complex (discovering a brand’s essence, determining what factors comprise a compelling brand, and working to turn an organization into a great brand), in its simplest form brand is just another word for “reputation.” We want audiences to not only understand the value of an MA education, but why it matters.

For our “brand” to be successful, we need to work with each other, reinforcing what we do, what we look like, and what we sound like. Every single interaction people have with MA contributes to their overall impression of our school.

OUR BRAND VALUES: deep knowledge

The MA curriculum is organized around problems, projects, and questions—rather than around lists of facts and skills—because we value thinking deeply about issues that matter as a way of understanding ideas from the inside out.

Brand Values

Brand values are the essence of our brand, the code by which we live. They are the heart and soul of what we believe at Marin Academy and do not change over time.

Creative Expression

Creativity is the hallmark of an MA education—from the way students solve math problems to the way they score music. MA sees the expression of creativity as central to the learning process no matter the discipline.

Working With Rather Than Competing With

MA emphasizes collaborative problem solving and having students learn from one another because we value the importance of “working with” rather than “competing with” each other. And we know that is one of the cornerstones of the world into which MA students will graduate.

Empowered Students

MA values putting the student at the center of his or her education—in place of a predictable march toward the right answer, students play an active role in the quest for meaning that replaces it.

Diverse Perspectives

Progressive thought and action, intellectual curiosity, and respect for individual differences and styles define MA’s culture and community. We actively cultivate an environment in which many voices are welcome and encouraged.

Compassionate Behavior

Adolescence is tough and high school is hard. We value a community whose members appreciate how difficult it is to navigate adolescence and display respect and empathy toward each other through the ups and the downs.