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Best California Private Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 4,058 private schools serving 674,195 students in California (there are 10,356 public schools, serving 5,417,014 students). 11% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 11%).
The average private school tuition is $16,466 for elementary schools and $22,941 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in California include The Webb Schools, Castilleja School, and Cate School.
The average acceptance rate is 84% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 51% and the student:teacher ratio is 12:1.
48% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Top Ranked California Private Schools by County (2024-25)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
233
35,504
14%
12
1,436
5%
35
6,659
3%
40
6,315
3%
1,181
196,742
18%
51
8,780
22%
16
2,131
3%
26
4,630
21%
424
76,201
15%
35
4,317
6%
160
25,638
6%
319
55,019
11%
118
21,921
20%
273
54,165
19%
14
2,091
7%
33
4,547
7%
64
6,618
9%
16
2,656
3%
93
24,427
14%
18
2,385
8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in California?
The top-ranked private schools in California include The Webb Schools, Castilleja School, and Cate School.
How many private schools are located in California?
There are 4,058 private schools are located in California.
How much do private schools cost in California?
The average private school tuition in California is $16,466 for elementary schools and $22,941 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in California?
Approximately 51% of students in California private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in California go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 11%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in California?
48% of private schools in California are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in California are often viewed compared to one another?

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