Chinese American International School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked CA School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 555 students
Yearly Tuition: $42,600
Acceptance rate: 22%
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 17
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Chinese American International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Type

School with Special Program Emphasis

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Chinese American International School
Pre-K	104
Kind	48
1	59
2	61
3	52
4	56
5	36
6	48
7	43
8	48

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Year Founded

1981

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

5 acres

Student Body

Total Students

555 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

88%

State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

77 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

18 students

Number of AP Courses

15 courses

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 17

Yearly Tuition Cost

$42,600

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

CAIS offers adjusted tuition ranging from $1,700 to $33,400.

% on Financial Aid

21%

Acceptance Rate

22%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Elaine Chang

Admissions Associate

Sophia Jang

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$50 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

4 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

SoccerVolleyball

School Notes

CAIS is the nation's preeminent and oldest school offering Chinese-English dual-language immersion education.
Founded in 1981, CAIS education begins at 2 year old preschool through 8th grade. It is a co-ed independent school in San Francisco, California that provides a dual language and multicultural learning experience for students of all backgrounds.
Our mission at the Chinese American International School is to inspire and empower learners to Embrace Chinese, Become our best selves and Contribute to a better world. Our Core Values are Kindness, Curiosity, Courage, Perserverance, and Inclusion.

School Motto: Embrace Chinese, Become Our Best Selves, Contribute to a Better World
School Mascot: Firedragons

CAIS fosters a culture of learning characterized by curiosity, agency, perseverance and joy. Students take control of their own learning, experiencing the joy and empowerment of a growth mindset and life in which learning is a continuous and never-ending journey.
We foster a school community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We firmly believe social and emotional competence can and must be explicitly taught in order for our students to achieve their capacity to be kind and resilient individuals who actively particpate in, contribute and grow within a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
The CAIS immersion bonus is an expansive mindset that is cultivated through Chinese immersion which extends far beyond language to add to a student's cognitive, character and intercultural competencies. From incorporating project based learning and Reading and Writing Workshop in both languages across grades, to our focus on design thinking and arts integration across the curriculum, CAIS teachers help students build the skills they need to be prepared for 21st century challenges.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Carol Ruth Silver, Freedom Rider and former San Francisco Supervisor -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Chinese American International School cost?

Chinese American International School's tuition is approximately $42,600 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Chinese American International School?

The acceptance rate of Chinese American International School is 22%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. Chinese American International School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Chinese American International School?

Chinese American International School famous alumni include: Carol Ruth Silver, Freedom Rider and former San Francisco Supervisor.

Does Chinese American International School offer a summer program?

Yes, Chinese American International School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Chinese American International School offer?

Chinese American International School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball.

What is Chinese American International School's ranking?

Chinese American International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for Chinese American International School?

The application deadline for Chinese American International School is Jan. 17.

In what neighborhood is Chinese American International School located?

Chinese American International School is located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Cathedral Hill.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Francisco, CA is $24,294 for elementary schools and $40,742 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in San Francisco, CA is 59% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).