Most Selective Private Schools in California

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(507) All Schools
(507)  High Schools
(185) High Schools
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(408)  Preschools
(326) Preschools
(326) 
  • The average private school acceptance rate in California is approximately 84% per year (2020).
  • The most selective private schools are listed below (where sufficient data available).
  • The most selective school in California is currently John Thomas Dye School, with an acceptance rate of 7%.

Most Selective Private Schools in California (2020)

  • School Acceptance Rate Grades Location
  • Rank: #11.
    John Thomas Dye School
    Acceptance Rate: 7%
    Grades: K-611414 Chalon Road
    Los Angeles, CA 90049
    (310)476-2811
  • Rank: #2-42.-4.
    Camelot Kids Preschool
    Camelot Kids Preschool Photo - water day, summer program
    Daycare / Preschool
    Acceptance Rate: 10%
    Grades: NS-K2880 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: NS-627 10th Ave
    San Mateo, CA 94401
    (650)340-1230
  • Rank: #2-42.-4.
    One Fifty Parker Avenue School
    One Fifty Parker Avenue School Photo - The Little Red School Bus
    Daycare / Preschool
    Acceptance Rate: 10%
    Grades: NS-PK150 Parker Avenue
    San Francisco, CA 94118
    (415)221-0294
  • Rank: #55.
    The Thacher School
    The Thacher School Photo - In courses designed for intellectual and creative expansion, students and teachers meet in seminar circles, studios, and laboratories to create a learning environment that is vigorous and supportive, galvanizing and nurturing.
    Acceptance Rate: 11%
    Grades: 9-125025 Thacher Road
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)640-3210
  • Rank: #66.
    Cate School
    Cate School Photo - Sunset Bench
    Acceptance Rate: 14%
    Grades: 9-121960 Cate Mesa Road
    Carpinteria, CA 93013
    (805)684-4127
  • Rank: #7-87.-8.
    San Francisco Friends School
    (Friends)
    Acceptance Rate: 15%
    Grades: K-8250 Valencia Street
    San Francisco, CA 94103
    (415)565-0400
  • Rank: #7-87.-8.
    Write Start Learning Center
    Daycare / Preschool
    Acceptance Rate: 15%
    Grades: NS-44453 Precissi Lane
    Stockton, CA 95207
    (209)956-5437
  • Rank: #99.
    The Webb Schools
    The Webb Schools Photo - Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, our campus setting provides easy access to hiking, snorkeling, rock climbing and other outdoor adventures.
    Acceptance Rate: 19%
    Grades: 9-121175 West Baseline Road
    Claremont, CA 91711
    (909)482-5214
  • Rank: #10-1110.- 11.
    St. James' Episcopal School
    St. James' Episcopal School Photo - Students at St. James' engage with reading throughout the year, once a year on Read Across America Day we drop everything and read!
    (Episcopal)
    (5)
    Acceptance Rate: 20%
    Grades: NS-6625 S. St. Andrews Place
    Los Angeles, CA 90005
    (213)382-2315
  • Rank: #10-1110.- 11.
    Sequoyah School
    Sequoyah School Photo - Sequoyah School High School Campus
    (10)
    Acceptance Rate: 20%
    Grades: K-12K-8: 535 S. Pasadena Ave/High School: 301 N. Orange Grove Boulevard
    Pasadena, CA 91105
    (626)795-4351
  • Rank: #1212.
    Peninsula School
    Peninsula School Photo - Peninsula School's Core Values include: Authentic Interactions; Community; Equity; Freedom and Responsibility; Meaningful Academics and Play.
    Acceptance Rate: 21%
    Grades: NS-8920 Peninsula Way
    Menlo Park, CA 94025
    (650)325-1584
  • Rank: #13-1513.- 15.
    The Academy of 21st Century Learning
    Acceptance Rate: 25%
    Grades: NS-81671 E. Monte Vista Ave., Suite N-106
    Vacaville, CA 95688
    (707)474-4710
  • Rank: #13-1513.- 15.
    New Covenant Academy
    New Covenant Academy Photo
    (Christian)
    (3)
    Acceptance Rate: 25%
    Grades: NS-123119 W. 6th Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90020
    (213)487-5437
  • Rank: #13-1513.- 15.
    Sierra Canyon School
    Sierra Canyon School Photo - Our Upper Campus is home to our Middle and Upper School students, grades 7-12.
    (7)
    Acceptance Rate: 25%
    Grades: PK-1211052 Independence Ave.
    Chatsworth, CA 91311
    (818)882-8121
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    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.
    (3)
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: 6-122555 West Highway 154
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    (805)688-6471
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    Katherine Michiels School
    Katherine Michiels School Photo - Multi aged level classrooms allow students to learn leadership and collaborative skills.
    Alternative School
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: PK-51335 Guerrero Street
    San Francisco, CA 94110
    (415)821-0130
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    The Nativity School
    (Roman Catholic)
    (3)
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: PK-86309 El Apajo
    Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
    (858)756-6763
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    Pinewood School
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: K-1226800 Fremont Rd
    Los Altos, CA 94022
    (650)209-3010
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    St Monica School
    (Roman Catholic)
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: K-85950 Geary Blvd
    San Francisco, CA 94121
    (415)875-1956
  • Rank: #16-2116.- 21.
    Woodside Priory School - The Priory
    Woodside Priory School - The Priory Photo - The Priory is a Benedictine Catholic, independent college preparatory school for grades 6-12.
    (Roman Catholic)
    Acceptance Rate: 30%
    Grades: 6-12302 Portola Road
    Portola Valley, CA 94028
    (650)851-8223
  • Rank: #2222.
    Francis Parker School
    (2)
    Acceptance Rate: 35%
    Grades: PK-126501 Linda Vista Rd
    San Diego, CA 92111
    (858)596-7900
  • Rank: #2323.
    Stevenson School - Pebble Beach Campus
    Stevenson School - Pebble Beach Campus Photo - Located on the Pebble Beach Campus, the Rosen Family Student Center provides the opportunity to enjoy a mocha, visit with your college advisor, buy a Stevenson sweatshirt, sit in front of a fire on a comfy couch, organize your schedule, surf the internet on your laptop... all of this can be done in the Rosen Center. The Rosen Family Student Center is also home to our Technology Center, student radio station, the Student Activities Center, classrooms, and the photography lab.
    Acceptance Rate: 38%
    Grades: PK-123152 Forest Lake Road
    Pebble Beach, CA 93953
    (831)625-8300
  • Rank: #24-2724.- 27.
    Brookfield School
    Brookfield School Photo - Brookfield has been educating students in the Sacramento area for over 50 years. Our graduating students are regularly accepted to their first choice of high school.
    Special Program Emphasis
    Acceptance Rate: 40%
    Grades: NS-86115 Riverside Blvd.
    Sacramento, CA 95831
    (916)442-1255
  • Rank: #24-2724.- 27.
    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.
    Acceptance Rate: 40%
    Grades: K-81795 San Leandro Lane
    Santa Barbara, CA 93108
    (805)969-7732
  • Rank: #24-2724.- 27.
    Seven Arrows Elementary School
    Seven Arrows Elementary School Photo - Environmental Outdoor Education program immerses students in the natural ecosystems of Catalina, Joshua Tree, Sacramento and more!
    Acceptance Rate: 40%
    Grades: K-615240 La Cruz Drive
    Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
    (310)230-0257
  • Rank: #24-2724.- 27.
    The Wesley School
    The Wesley School Photo - Kindergarten field trip
    Acceptance Rate: 40%
    Grades: K-84832 Tujunga Ave
    North Hollywood, CA 91601
    (818)508-4542
  • Rank: #28-3028.- 30.
    Alverno High School
    (Roman Catholic)
    (2)
    Acceptance Rate: 45%
    Grades: 9-12200 N Michillinda Avenue
    Sierra Madre, CA 91024
    (626)355-3463
  • Rank: #28-3028.- 30.
    The Athenian School
    Acceptance Rate: 45%
    Grades: 6-122100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd
    Danville, CA 94506
    (925)837-5375
  • Rank: #28-3028.- 30.
    Turning Point School
    Turning Point School Photo - In their final year of foreign language study in Latin or Spanish, Level 8 students will culminate their Middle School experience with a 12-day European tour. A collective adventure in Italy and Spain is the perfect conclusion to their Middle School linguistic program, in which the rich culture and history of the languages they learn are celebrated.
    Acceptance Rate: 45%
    Grades: PK-88780 National Blvd
    Culver City, CA 90232
    (310)841-2505
  • Rank: #3131.
    Children's Day School
    Acceptance Rate: 47%
    Grades: PK-8333 Dolores Street
    San Francisco, CA 94110
    (415)861-5432
  • Rank: #3232.
    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-1217100 Superior Street
    Northridge, CA 91325
    (818)349-1394
  • Rank: #33-4433.- 44.
    Adda Clevenger School
    Adda Clevenger School 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
    (2)
    Acceptance Rate: 50%
    Grades: PK-8180 Fair Oaks Street
    San Francisco, CA 94110
    (415)824-2240
  • Rank: #33-4433.- 44.
    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: 9-128585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd.
    Ojai, CA 93023
    (805)646-4343
  • Rank: #33-4433.- 44.
    Evergreen Montessori School
    Evergreen Montessori School Photo - Yerba Buena Rd School, San Jose
    Montessori School
    Acceptance Rate: 50%
    Grades: K3122 Fowler Rd
    San Jose, CA 95135
    (408)238-4001
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