Marin Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory high school located twelve miles north of San Francisco. CMG designed the central courtyard spaces framed by the buildings. One of the greatest opportunities and challenges of the site was a large heritage Valley Oak tree, which became the focal point of the lower garden court.  To protect the root system of this magnificent tree, CMG cantilevered the handicap access ramp over the root zone and highlighted the ramp as one of the primary design moves in the space.