Most Selective Private Schools in California

The average private school acceptance rate in California is 84% per year (2024).
The most selective school in California is John Thomas Dye School, with an acceptance rate of 7%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 7% 50% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 31%

Most Selective Private Schools in California (2024)

School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Grades: K-6
11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 476-2811
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights
Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights Photo - water day, summer program
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: NS-PK
2880 Rowena Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 662-2663
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Centennial Montessori School
Centennial Montessori School Photo - A natural play yard for our 3 to 6 year olds provides a multi sensory and creative experience. The children use the space to garden, dance, jump, play games, run, twirl, build, dig and create masterpieces in our art area, mud kitchen, and music area.
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-5
27 10th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-1230
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Montessori Academy-Glendale
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-K
1920 W Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 841-9096
Rank: #55.
The Thacher School
The Thacher School Photo - "Education is not merely the making of scholars. It is the making of men and women. It is the training of the younger generation in the art of living for their own greatest good and the greatest good of their fellow citizens." -Sherman Day Thacher
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Grades: 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Rank: #66.
Cate School
Cate School Photo - Sunset Bench
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Grades: 9-12
1960 Cate Mesa Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
The Compass School
The Compass School Photo - The Compass School is an online K12 School. We offer hundreds of live online courses with expert faculty (over 95% of our teachers have a Masters Degree or Higher). Our affordable homeschool program gives students a flexible high quality schooling option that can be taken from anywhere.
(10)
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-12
548 Market Street, No 41193
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 738-7334
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
San Francisco Friends School
(Friends)
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-8
250 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 565-0400
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
The Webb Schools
The Webb Schools Photo
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: 9-12
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Write Start Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: NS-4
4453 Precissi Lane
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 956-5437
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
New Covenant Academy
New Covenant Academy Photo
(Christian)
(26)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: K-12
3119 W. 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 487-5437
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Sierra Canyon School
Sierra Canyon School Photo - Our Upper Campus is home to our Middle and Upper School students, grades 7-12.
(10)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
11052 Independence Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 882-8121
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
Dunn School
Dunn School Photo - The outdoor education program at Dunn School fosters greater self-awareness through physical challenges and leadership experiences in the outdoors.
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 6-12
2555 West Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
Katherine Michiels School
Katherine Michiels School Photo
Alternative School
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-5
1335 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-0130
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
The Nativity School
(Catholic)
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-8
6309 El Apajo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-6763
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
Pinewood School
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
26800 Fremont Rd
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 209-3060
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
St. Monica School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-8
5950 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 875-1956
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
Sequoyah School
Sequoyah School Photo
(19)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
K-8: 535 S. Pasadena Ave/High School: 301 N. Orange Grove Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4351
Rank: #13 - 1913. - 19.
Woodside Priory School
Woodside Priory School Photo - Woodside Priory is a Benedictine Catholic, independent college preparatory school for grades 6-12. A boarding option is available beginning in grade nine (9).
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 6-12
302 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Francis Parker School
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Imagination Lab School
Imagination Lab School Photo
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-8
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: 4-12
4345 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(310) 478-9900
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Carlsbad Christian Academy
Carlsbad Christian Academy Photo
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: PK-8
3030 Valley St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 729-6272
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Crane Country Day School
Crane Country Day School Photo - Each 8th Grader presents a Current Event at a daily all-school assembly, in conjunction with their public speaking class. The daily assembly allows students to perform and present in front of the entire school community, developing stage presence and public speaking skills.
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
The Wesley School
The Wesley School Photo - Kindergarteners celebrate the updates to their playground in Kinderland: "Your heart knows the way, run in that direction."
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
4832 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 508-4542
Rank: #2626.
Old Orchard School
Old Orchard School Photo
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Grades: PK-8
400 W Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 378-5935
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
Alverno Heights Academy
All-girls (Catholic)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 9-12
200 N Michillinda Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-3463
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
The Athenian School
The Athenian School Photo
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 6-12
2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
The Grauer School
The Grauer School Photo - Rendering of The Great Hall, The Grauer School
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 7-12
1500 El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
Rank: #3030.
Children's Day School
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Grades: PK-8
333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
The Burkard School
The Burkard School Photo - The Right Support Makes All The Difference...A small independent K-8 school for bright children who need extra support with self-regulation, executive functioning, and/or social-emotional learning in the classroom.
Special Education School
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: K-8
2333 Palm Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 918-9945
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Highland Hall Waldorf School
Highland Hall Waldorf School Photo - Our classrooms contain furniture made of natural materials and slate chalkboards.
Special Program Emphasis
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: PK-12
17100 Superior Street
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-1394
Rank: #33 - 4833. - 48.
Adda Clevenger School - Noe Valley Campus
Adda Clevenger School - Noe Valley Campus Photo - The Adda Clevenger School is an independent elementary school providing an accelerated academic and arts curriculum to San Francisco Bay Area students grades TK-8 since 1980.
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
180 Fair Oaks Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2240
Rank: #33 - 4833. - 48.
Archbishop Riordan High School
Archbishop Riordan High School Photo - A view of Riordan's gym.
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 9-12
175 Frida Kahlo Way
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 586-8200
Rank: #33 - 4833. - 48.
Besant Hill School
Besant Hill School Photo - Besant Hill School is located in the Ojai Valley, on 500 acres of private land with beautiful vistas in every direction. Facilities include four dormitories, outdoor sports facilities including a new aquatic center, indoor theater, atelier, and classrooms nestled along winding paths and oak trees. We also have an eight acre organic farm.
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 9-12
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 555 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California average Private Schools acceptance rate?
The California average Private Schools acceptance rate is 84% for 2024.
What are the most selective Private Schools in California?
The best top ranked Private Schools in California include John Thomas Dye School, Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights and Centennial Montessori School.
What is the most selective high school and elementary school in California?
The most selective private high school in California is The Thacher School, with an acceptance rate of 13%. The most selective private elementary school is John Thomas Dye School, with an acceptance rate of 7%.

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