Top 20 Best California Private Daycares & Preschools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 2,317 private daycares & preschools serving 373,594 students in California.
The best top ranked private daycares & preschools in California include Pilgrim School, Rancho Christian School and Orion International Academy.
The average tuition cost is $12,973, which is lower than the California average tuition cost of $16,783.
42% of private daycares & preschools in California are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian). Learn more about how daycare centers and preschools work.

Top Ranked California Private Daycares & Preschools (2024)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Almaden Country Day School
Almaden Country Day School Photo - Our dedicated faculty deliver personalized instruction to students embracing each student as an individual. Lessons are engaging, inquiry-focused, hands-on, and highly collaborative to prepare students for high school and beyond. Teachers are not solely focused on delivering instruction; rather, they are focused on each child feeling seen and care for, and teaching children to be lifelong learners.
(19)
6835 Trinidad Drive
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 997-0424
Grades: PK-8
| 420 students
Alta Loma Christian School
Alta Loma Christian School Photo - Not a school you attend. A family you belong to.
(Brethren)
9974 19th Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
(909) 989-2804
Grades: PK-8
| 288 students
BASIS Independent Fremont
BASIS Independent Fremont Photo - One of the World's Top Academic Programs - Right in Your Neighborhood.
(1)
3300 Kearney Street
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 722-1056
Grades: PK-11
| 643 students
1290 Parkmoor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
(669) 766-1001
Grades: PK-12
| 1,190 students
The Berkeley School
The Berkeley School Photo - The Berkeley School believes that a focus on civic engagement requires students to achieve their full potential as individual scholars, members of their local communities and active citizens of the world.
(1)
1310 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
Grades: PK-8
| 296 students
Brookfield School
Brookfield School Photo - Brookfield has been educating students in the Sacramento area for over 50 years. Our graduating students are regularly accepted to their first choice of high school.
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
6115 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 442-1255
Grades: PK-8
| 216 students
Calvary Christian Academy
Calvary Christian Academy Photo - CCA is founded on three pillars which are Servant Leadership, Superior Academics, and Simply Jesus.
(Christian)
(6)
1771 E Palomar Street
Chula Vista, CA 91913
(619) 591-2260
Grades: PK-8
| 465 students
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools Photo - Since 1973, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools has been dedicated to providing a high standard of college preparatory education, set within the framework of Christian instruction and example. We desire to prepare students to be the Christian leaders of tomorrow. Our staff is committed to partnering with an extremely supportive school community to offer a truly unique educational experience.
(Christian)
(15)
32032 Del Obispo St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-5683
Grades: PK-12
| 696 students
3880 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 213-8245
Grades: PK-8
| 406 students
Clairbourn School
Clairbourn School Photo
(13)
8400 Huntington Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 286-3108
Grades: NS-8
| 283 students
Foothill Country Day School
Foothill Country Day School Photo - Field Day and Art Walk is a tradition that dates back to our school's founding. Since our school was founded around a 1954 Kentucky Derby winner named Determine, we hold a day of races and fun each year on Derby Day. Our kids are superheroes!
(11)
1035 Harrison Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 626-5681
Grades: NS-8
| 438 students
Grace Christian School
Grace Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(2)
4545 Myra Ave
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 761-5200
Grades: NS-8
| 579 students
16971 Imperial Hwy
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 524-1350
Grades: PK-8
| 635 students
Hillbrook School
Hillbrook School Photo - Hillbrook's campus features an array of outdoor learning spaces including gardens, stately oak trees, and a creek.
(2)
300 Marchmont Dr
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 356-6116
Grades: PK-12
| 367 students
Hollywood Schoolhouse
Hollywood Schoolhouse Photo
1233 North McCaddden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 465-1320
Grades: PK-6
| 296 students
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School Photo - Holy Cross School ~ 2019 Preschool -8th grade
(Catholic)
(4)
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-4447
Grades: PK-8
| 197 students
Imagination Lab School
Imagination Lab School Photo
(5)
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Grades: PK-8
| students
Katherine Michiels School
Katherine Michiels School Photo
Alternative School
(1)
1335 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-0130
Grades: PK-5
| 80 students
3261 Overland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 836-3464
Grades: NS-12
| 724 students
Marin Horizon School
Marin Horizon School Photo - Marin Horizon is an independent, toddler through 8th grade, co-educational day school located in a residential neighborhood in Mill Valley, only 15 minutes from San Francisco. Nestled at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, our beautiful campus is surrounded by trails and open space.
(5)
305 Montford Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-8408
Grades: PK-8
| 285 students
2600 V Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 429-6055
Grades: PK-8
| 400 students
Merryhill Elementary School
Merryhill Elementary School Photo
(Friends)
(2)
750 N Capitol Ave, Bldg D
San Jose, CA 95133
(408) 254-1282
Grades: PK-5
| 303 students
1500 Yosemite Dr.
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 945-9090
Grades: NS-8
| 503 students
Mission Basilica School
Mission Basilica School Photo - MBS has two technology labs
(Catholic)
31641 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-1385
Grades: NS-8
| 268 students
11255 Central Ave.
Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 999-0025
Grades: PK-12
| 122 students
Phillips Brooks School
Phillips Brooks School Photo
(2)
2245 Avy Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4545
Grades: NS-5
| 306 students
Pilgrim School
Pilgrim School Photo
(4)
540 S Commonwealth Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 355-5204
Grades: PK-12
| 374 students
2060 Tapscott Ave / 960 Avis Drive
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 809-9018
Grades: PK-8
| 494 students
Rancho Christian School
Rancho Christian School Photo - Rancho is a community of diverse students, parents, and teachers. It is a place where students come first - their best interest, their success and their plans for the future.
(Christian)
(14)
31300 Rancho Community Way
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 303-1408
Grades: NS-12
| 1,081 students
The Rhoades School
The Rhoades School Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
141 S Rancho Santa Fe Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 436-1102
Grades: PK-8
| 666 students
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
(916) 481-8811
Grades: PK-12
| 587 students
St. Anne School
St. Anne School Photo
(Catholic)
(3)
32451 Bear Brand Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 276-6700
Grades: PK-8
| 534 students
St. Jeanne De Lestonnac School
St. Jeanne De Lestonnac School Photo - Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School educates students from preschool through high school.
(Catholic)
(4)
32650 Avenida Lestonnac
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 587-2505
Grades: PK-12
| 707 students
St. Mary's School
St. Mary's School Photo
(Episcopal)
(2)
7 Pursuit
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 448-9027
Grades: NS-8
| 702 students
St. Michael's School
(Catholic)
(1)
15542 Pomerado Rd
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 485-1303
Grades: PK-8
| 595 students
Show 100 more private schools in California (out of 2,317 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private daycares & preschools in California?
The top ranked private daycares & preschools in California include Pilgrim School, Rancho Christian School and Orion International Academy.
How many private daycares & preschools are located in California?
2,317 private daycares & preschools are located in California.
How much do private daycares & preschools cost in California?
The average tuition cost is $12,973, which is lower than the California private school average tuition cost of $16,783.
How diverse are private daycares & preschools in California?
California private daycares & preschools are approximately 50% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of private daycares & preschools are religiously affiliated in California?
42% of private daycares & preschools in California are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

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