The average private school acceptance rate in California is 84% per year (2023-24).
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: 30%
Most Selective Private Schools in California (2023-24)
School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Grades: K-6
11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 476-2811
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 476-2811
Rank: #2 - 52. - 5.
Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights![Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights Photo - water day, summer program 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
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 662-2663
Rank: #2 - 52. - 5.
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. 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
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-1230
Rank: #2 - 52. - 5.
Montessori Academy-Glendale
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-K
1920 W Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 841-9096
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 841-9096
Rank: #2 - 52. - 5.
One Fifty Parker Avenue School![One Fifty Parker Avenue School Photo - The Little Red School Bus One Fifty Parker Avenue School Photo - The Little Red School Bus]()

Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: NS-PK
150 Parker Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-0294
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-0294
Rank: #66.
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Grades: 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Rank: #77.
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Grades: 9-12
1960 Cate Mesa Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-12
548 Market Street, No 41193
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 738-7334
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 738-7334
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
San Francisco Friends School
(Friends)
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-8
250 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 565-0400
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 565-0400
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: 9-12
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Write Start Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: NS-4
4453 Precissi Lane
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 956-5437
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 956-5437
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: K-12
3119 W. 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 487-5437
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 487-5437
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
11052 Independence Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 882-8121
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 882-8121
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 6-12
2555 West Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-5
1335 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-0130
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-0130
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-8
6309 El Apajo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-6763
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-6763
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
26800 Fremont Rd
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 209-3060
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 209-3060
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
St. Monica School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-8
5950 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 875-1956
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 875-1956
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
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
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4351
Rank: #14 - 2014. - 20.
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). 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
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-8
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: 4-12
4345 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(310) 478-9900
Calabasas, CA 91302
(310) 478-9900
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: PK-8
3030 Valley St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 729-6272
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 729-6272
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
4832 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 508-4542
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 508-4542
Rank: #2727.
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Grades: PK-8
400 W Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 378-5935
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 378-5935
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 9-12
200 N Michillinda Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-3463
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-3463
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 6-12
2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 7-12
1500 El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
Rank: #3131.
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Grades: PK-8
333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
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. 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
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 918-9945
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: PK-12
17100 Superior Street
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-1394
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-1394
Rank: #34 - 4834. - 48.
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
180 Fair Oaks Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2240
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2240
Rank: #34 - 4834. - 48.
Archbishop Riordan High School![Archbishop Riordan High School Photo - A view of Riordan's gym. 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
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 586-8200
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 547 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California average Private Schools acceptance rate?
The California average Private Schools acceptance rate is 84% for 2023-24.
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%.
Recent Articles

The Evolution of Early Reading Strategies for Children
Explore the journey of early reading strategies from the 17th century to the present day, uncovering the evolution of tools, methods, and technologies that have shaped how children learn to read. This article delves into the historical milestones and contemporary approaches that offer a fascinating look at literacy development in children.

The Evolution of School Choice: A Focus on Vouchers
Explore the history and evolution of school choice, focusing on vouchers. This article provides an in-depth analysis of vouchers' origins, growth, benefits, and criticisms as part of the broader school choice movement, along with a look at current trends and future outlook.

August 11, 2023
Admissions Matters: Following Up, The Competition, & DeadlinesNavigating the complex landscape of private high school admissions requires expertise and insight. This article delves into essential areas that every school should master: inquiry follow-up, standing out in a competitive market, and choosing between rolling admissions and fixed admissions deadlines.