Best California Private Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 3,840 private schools serving 658,387 students in California (there are 10,375 public schools, serving 5,876,295 students). 10% of all K-12 students in California are educated in private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).

The average private school tuition is $15,976 for elementary schools and $21,972 for high schools (view national tuition averages).

The best private schools in California include Cambrian Academy, Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning and Orion International Academy.

The average acceptance rate is 84% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 51% and the student:teacher ratio is 12:1.

49% of schools are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Almaden Country Day School Photo - From 4th through 8th grade, each grade level takes an overnight field trip. The culminating experience in 8th grade is a week trip to Washington DC to see in person the places they have been learning about in Social Studies class. Other trips include Catalina Island, Yosemite, Science Camp, and a trip to a historical gold mining camp.

Shu Ren International School, Berkeley Photo - Shu Ren International School located in the heart of Berkeley, California.

La Reina High School and Middle School Photo

Sacramento Country Day School Photo - With low student-teacher ratios, Sacramento Country Day School offers a highly-personalized educational experience that challenges students to innovate, and explore in a flexible academic program.

Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.

Palma School Photo - Palma is a college-preparatory, Catholic school for grades 6 through 12 owned and operated by The Christian Brothers Institute of California.

Stratford School - Santa Clara Winchester Photo

Drew School Photo - Drew School believes in teenagers - their ideas, their dreams, their opinions, and their potential. That's why we've created a high school community that challenges the traditional definition of success and celebrates achievement one student at a time.

Renascence School International Photo - Renascence School International prepares students for the global environment through strong academics, creativity training, leadership opportunities, and proficiency in three of the world''s most spoken languages, English, Chinese, and Spanish. At RSI, learning is fun! You will be amazed what your child can learn under the caring guidance of the RSI teachers.

Pacific Academy Photo - Preparatory School for Grades K-12

Fusion Academy Los Gatos Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.

KSS Immersion Schools, Albany Photo - KSS Preschool - Socialization

Pacific Boychoir Academy Photo - Pacific Boychoir Academy offers individualized instruction in small classes for boys grades 3-8.

Merryhill Elementary & Middle School in Midtown Photo

Top Ranked California Private Schools by County (2024)

County

# Schools

# Students

% of K-12 Students in Private Schools

Alameda County

220

34,033

13%

319

1,345

131

20,354

11%

1,503

6,038

119

874

1,610

100

5,732

1,014

330

1,116

195,560

13%

Madera County

407

Marin County

8,356

21%

<1%

520

2,110

4,080

4,644

20%

Nevada County

546

Orange County

396

72,983

14%

Placer County

4,307

Plumas County

105

Riverside County

151

23,928

Sacramento County

125

19,673

San Benito County

513

San Bernardino County

148

22,503

San Diego County

302

52,000

10%

San Francisco County

116

25,333

31%

San Joaquin County

6,921

San Luis Obispo County

2,870

San Mateo County

113

20,799

19%

Santa Barbara County

5,798

Santa Clara County

261

54,344

19%

Santa Cruz County

6,402

15%

1,582

109

5,054

6,344

4,189

333

264

2,731

451

26,239

15%

Yolo County

2,389

Yuba County

221

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in California?

The best private schools in California include Cambrian Academy, Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning and Orion International Academy.

How many private schools are located in California?

3,840 private schools are located in California.

How much do private schools cost in California?

The average private school tuition in California is $15,976 for elementary schools and $21,972 for high schools

How diverse are private schools in California?

California private schools are approximately 51% minority students (view national minority students).

What percentage of students in California go to private school?

10% of all K-12 students in California are educated in private schools (compared to national average of 10%).

What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in California?

49% of private schools in California are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

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