For the 2026 school year, there are 3,912 private schools serving 660,172 students in California (there are 10,332 public schools, serving 5,789,988 students). 10% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $17,739 for elementary schools and $23,888 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in California include Cate School, The Webb Schools, and The College Preparatory School.
The average acceptance rate is 81% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 52% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (CA)
US
# Schools
3,912 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
660,172 Students
5,689,398 Students
% Average Students of Color
52%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
55,641 Teachers
508,485 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
59%
55%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1264
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$18,325
$14,950
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,061
$1,153
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,063
$7,228
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$33.94 million
$63.28 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.65
# American Indian Students
3,577 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
72,070 Students
264,899 Students
% Asian Students
11%
5%
# Hispanic Students
104,452 Students
506,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
9%
# Black Students
30,233 Students
415,674 Students
% Black Students
5%
7%
# White Students
235,855 Students
2,930,451 Students
% White Students
37%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
5,499 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
188,449 Students
1,473,461 Students
% of Others Students
29%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked California Private Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in California?
The top-ranked private schools in California include Cate School, The Webb Schools, and The College Preparatory School.
How many private schools are located in California?
There are 3,912 private schools are located in California.
How much do private schools cost in California?
The average private school tuition in California is $17,739 for elementary schools and $23,888 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in California?
Approximately 52% of students in California private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in California go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in California?
Which private schools in California are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in California include: Monarch Montessori vs. Community Christian School, Molokan Elementary School vs. St. Mark's Lutheran School, Kiddie Academy Cc Learning Center vs. La Petite Academy
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