Our Story

A respected academic history in the San Francisco East Bay.

Doris Dorris and Virginia Eaton, who believed in excellence in education, founded The Dorris-Eaton School in 1954

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Two kindergartners sittig side by side, reading a colorful storybook.

Established 1954 in Danville, CA

For over 60 years, excellence in education has remained our
guiding principle.

What you'll find below:

Our HistoryOur CampusMessage from the DirectorAt–A–Glance

Doris Dorris and Virginia Eaton

Doris Dorris and Virginia Eaton, who believed in excellence in education, founded The Dorris-Eaton School over 60 years ago. On the premise that great education must begin early, when young minds are naturally receptive to new ideas and good habits can be easily embraced, they opened the first preschool in Danville. They created a school based on strong academic and instructional principles, and they never looked back.

Their program was a huge success and in a short time required expansion to a larger school site, one of the first buildings in California to be specifically designed for preschool students. As growth continued, Dorris and Eaton expanded the school to include preschool through eighth students, currently housed on two campuses.

Mrs. Dorris' and Mrs. Eaton's founding tenet, excellence in education, remains the guiding principle of The Dorris-Eaton School.

Two Campuses

Alamo Preschool, TK, and JK Campus

If you were asked to describe an idyllic location for a preschool, it would likely conjure visions of our Alamo facility which occupies a five-acre, park-like campus. Two preschool buildings house five bright and comfortable classrooms, a designated art room as well as a library. The Junior Kindergarten class occupies a cottage at the top of the property. Classrooms are alive with laughter and the excitement of learning as teachers guide students' social, emotional, and academic development.

San Ramon K–8 Campus

Continuously recognized as a top K–8 school in the Bay Area and beyond, Dorris-Eaton has continued to grow. After nearly four decades in Walnut Creek, in 2015, Dorris-Eaton relocated and completely renovated its current K–8 facility in San Ramon. The 40,000-square-foot facility houses spacious classrooms, a large library, two multipurpose rooms, a technology lab, two science labs, and designated Spanish, art, and music rooms.

San Ramon K-8 Campus

Alamo Preschool/TK/JK Campus

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Visit The Dorris-Eaton School.

See the campus, meet our teachers, and observe classroom interaction.

Jerry Ludden - Head of School at The Dorris-Eaton School

A Message From

Jerry Ludden
Director

For over sixty years, The Dorris-Eaton School has provided students of Contra Costa and Alameda counties the best that education has to offer.

Private schools are schools of choice, and families who choose The Dorris-Eaton School seek and receive excellence in education. Our curriculum and faculty are of the highest caliber. We build strong and balanced foundations that serve our students throughout their lives.

Dorris-Eaton’s graduates attend the finest high schools and universities in the nation, and they go on to make a difference. Most significantly, students at Dorris-Eaton thrive in an environment that fosters respect for self and others, courtesy, and pride in accomplishment—values that develop happy, healthy, and productive individuals.

We’d like to share with you more about our program and accompany you on a tour of our campuses. Nothing speaks more eloquently of our success than seeing our students and teachers in action. We look forward to hearing from you.

Jerry Ludden
Director

The difference is education.

At-a-Glance

A brief snapshot of Dorris-Eaton.

Have questions?

Please don't hesitate to give us a call at (925) 930-9000 or send us an email at admissions@dorriseaton.com

Or:

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School Size

385
Total School Enrollment
12
Average Class Size (Preschool)
18
Average Class Size (K–8)

Hours

Extended
7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Preschool
9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
K-4
8:30 A.M. - 3:15 P.M.
5-8
8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

Other Programs

Hot Lunch
San Ramon campus
Summer Enrichment Workshops
Preschool - 8
Extra-curricular options
Chess, music lessons, debate, MATHCOUNTS, Math Olympiad, Science Bowl

Specialized Departments

Preschool/TK/JK
Art, Music, and Spanish
K - 8
Art, Music, Spanish, Physical Education
Junior High Electives (sampling)
Calligraphy, Theatre Smorgasbord, Chess, Film Production, High School Prep, Multimedia Art, Photography, Printmaking, Script Writing, Yoga
San Ramon private school students in computer lab
Private school students eating lunch in San Ramon, CA
Students in class at The Dorris-Eaton School in San Ramon, CA
Private school students eating lunch in San Ramon, CA