Most Selective Private High Schools in California

The average private high school acceptance rate in California is 80% per year (2023).
The most selective school in California is The Thacher School, with an acceptance rate of 10%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 10% 65% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 46%

Most Selective Private High Schools in California (2023)

School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
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: 10%
Grades: 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Rank: #22.
Cate School
Cate School Photo - Sunset Bench
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Grades: 9-12
1960 Cate Mesa Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Rank: #33.
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: 15%
Grades: 9-12
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #6 - 96. - 9.
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.
(4)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 6-12
2555 West Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Pinewood School
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
26800 Fremont Rd
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 209-3060
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Sequoyah School
Sequoyah School Photo
Alternative School
(15)
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: #6 - 96. - 9.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Francis Parker School
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: 4-12
4345 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(310) 478-9900
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
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: #12 - 1412. - 14.
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: #12 - 1412. - 14.
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: #1515.
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: #16 - 2316. - 23.
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: #16 - 2316. - 23.
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
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
Midland School
Midland School Photo - Small class sizes, a student body under 100, and rigorous curricula make for a compelling academic experience. Students connect with their teachers, their peers, and the world.
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 9-12
5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
Ocean View Christian Academy
Ocean View Christian Academy Photo
(Baptist)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-12
2460 Palm Avenue
San Diego, CA 92154
(619) 424-7875
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
Sacramento Country Day School
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.
(Christian)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-12
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
(916) 481-8811
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
Santa Barbara Middle School
Santa Barbara Middle School Photo - Every Friday morning at 6:45, anyone who choses, meets at the beach for a sunrise swim. We circle up as a community. The 9th graders read a quote for the week, then whomever wants to, runs in for a morning wake up plunge! After a few waves are ridden, the dip is followed by hot chocolate, coffee and donuts!
(14)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 6-9
1321 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
Southwestern Academy
Southwestern Academy Photo - San Marino Campus
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 6-12
2800 MONTEREY ROAD
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 799-5010
Rank: #16 - 2316. - 23.
TechProtege, LLC
TechProtege, LLC Photo - 6-year-old Jared solving Algebra "Quadratic Equations" at TechProtege. In just 11 months at TechProtege, Jared has advanced from 3rd Grade Math all the way to 9th Grade Math-- even while only in 1st Grade at his regular school!
Special Program Emphasis
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 5-10
10250 Constellation Blvd - 23rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 499-1492
Rank: #2424.
Oaks Christian School
Oaks Christian School Photo
(Christian)
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Grades: 5-12
31749 La Tienda Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(818) 575-9203
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
6990 65th St
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 391-3333
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: NS-12
3051 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 584-2454
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Idyllwild Arts Academy is home to 310 students from 35 countries and 26 US states, all devoted to intensive study of the arts. Located 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2 hours from San Diego, and 1 hour from Palm Springs, the Academy is an artistic crossroads for Southern California.
Special Program Emphasis
(7)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: 9-12
52500 Temecula Road #38
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Oak Grove School
Oak Grove School Photo - At Oak Grove High School preparing for college also means tapping into your interests, exploring your natural creativity, and developing lifelong practices of intellectual discipline, good communication, self-reflection, understanding, and clear thinking.
(7)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
220 West Lomita Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-8236
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Orinda Academy
Orinda Academy Photo - Main Building
(6)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: 9-12
19 Altarinda Road
Orinda, CA 94563
(925) 254-7553
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Renaissance Learner Academy
Special Education School
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: 7-12
1471 Kingman Ave
San Jose, CA 95128
(707) 722-4233
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Servite High School
Servite High School Photo - The Alumni Garden is a patio surrounded by triangular glass installations that list every graduate of Servite by class year. It is a gathering place for alumni reunions, socials and sharing Servite memories.
All-boys (Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: 9-12
1952 West La Palma Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 774-7575
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Wildwood School K-12
Wildwood School K-12 Photo
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: K-12
12201 Washington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 478-7189
Rank: #3333.
La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla Country Day School Photo - La Jolla Country Day School
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Grades: NS-12
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 453-3440
Rank: #34 - 3834. - 38.
Crespi Carmelite High School
All-boys (Catholic)
(4)
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Grades: 9-12
5031 Alonzo Ave
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 345-1672
Rank: #34 - 3834. - 38.
Junipero Serra High School
Junipero Serra High School Photo
(Catholic)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Grades: 9-12
14830 Van Ness Avenue
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-6675
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 192 total schools)
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