For the 2026 school year, there are 3,917 private schools serving 666,144 students in California (there are 10,356 public schools, serving 5,826,671 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 $17,563 for elementary schools and $23,392 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in California include BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, Castilleja School, and Cate School.
The average acceptance rate is 81% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 51% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (CA)
US
# Schools
3,917 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
666,144 Students
5,705,486 Students
% Average Students of Color
51%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
55,545 Teachers
508,223 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
1263
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$18,111
$14,876
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,040
$1,139
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,934
$7,125
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$34.11 million
$61.7 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.65
# American Indian Students
3,583 Students
29,893 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
72,127 Students
265,103 Students
% Asian Students
11%
5%
# Hispanic Students
104,529 Students
507,446 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
9%
# Black Students
30,311 Students
416,735 Students
% Black Students
5%
7%
# White Students
236,109 Students
2,933,948 Students
% White Students
37%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
5,503 Students
22,226 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
189,386 Students
1,474,278 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 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, Castilleja School, and Cate School.
How many private schools are located in California?
There are 3,917 private schools are located in California.
How much do private schools cost in California?
The average private school tuition in California is $17,563 for elementary schools and $23,392 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?
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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