Bishop Odowd High School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,248 students
Yearly Tuition: $19,840
Acceptance rate: 30%
Average class size: 25 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 11 / Jan. 8
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Bishop Odowd High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Bishop Odowd High School
9	317
10	321
11	294
12	316

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Milk Learning Differences

Year Founded

1951

Colors

Black, Gold

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

20 acres

Student Body

Total Students

1,248 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

47%

State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

74 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

75%

Average Class Size

25 students

Number of AP Courses

25 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Average SAT score

1230

(Out of 1600)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Polo shirt and neatness and modesty requirements. Blue jeans allowed

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Dec. 11 / Jan. 8

Yearly Tuition Cost

$19,840

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Books, Registration Fee, Computer and Uniform are not included in tuition.

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

30%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Kerryn Pincus Gallagher

Admissions Associate

Moire Bruin

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$4 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

15 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

CheeringCross Country

Track and FieldVolleyball

Water Polo

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

22 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Black Student UnionCampus Ministry

Debate TeamECO Team

Latinos UnidosLeadership Club

Mock TrialRetreat Leaders

Arts and Music Programs:

CeramicsChorus

Digital ArtDigital Photography

Fine Arts ProgramJazz Band

Musical TheatrePerforming Arts

PhotographyString Orchestra

symphonic band

Recreational Athletic Programs:

CheerleadingMountain Biking Club

Ultimate Frisbee Club

School Notes

Bishop O'Dowd High School is an extraordinary community becasue it is a healthy, vibrant, morally uplifting, family-friendly center for college preparation and adolescent development. Its graduates are not only eligible for the University of California and Ivy League schools, but universally report that they are "over prepared" for rigorous universities and the complex social and moral environments of college and beyond. At O'Dowd, students engage in some of the finest and most inclusive athletic, co-curricular, and visual and performing arts programs in California.
O'Dowd's environmental science, speech and debate, and student support programs are without peer and the student community, renowned for its warmth and appreciation of all kinds of minds, will bring life-long friendships and great joy.
We truly believe that a complete education requires a foundational emphasis on the moral and spiritual dimensions of student lives. These foundations in the family and supported in school, determine the quality of human beings we so need for the future.
Please visit our school to see for yourself how an O'Dowd education can prepare your daughters and sons for the world in which they will live throughout this century, and perhaps even the next.

School Motto: Finding God in All Things
School Mascot: Dragons

On the high school journey, each student will have the guidance of our exceptional faculty, personal and college counselors, campus ministers, coaches, activity moderators, and administrators, who are at the forefront of preparing each student for a dynamic 21st century world. We focus on each student's personal and moral growth, college and career choices, how students learn, and we provide excellent teaching and world-class technology and software to assist in that learning. Together these resources and services will allow students to pursue what they love and reward them with the exhilaration of true excellence. In this way we achieve our purpose; to graduate even more exemplary citizens who will transform society with their values, intelligence, skills, and leadership as they seek to find God in all things.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Bishop Odowd High School cost?

Bishop Odowd High School's tuition is approximately $19,840 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Bishop Odowd High School?

The acceptance rate of Bishop Odowd High School is 30%, which is lower than the national average of 80%. Bishop Odowd High School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Does Bishop Odowd High School offer a summer program?

Yes, Bishop Odowd High School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Bishop Odowd High School offer?

Bishop Odowd High School offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo. Bishop Odowd High School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Bishop Odowd High School's ranking?

Bishop Odowd High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Bishop Odowd High School?

The application deadline for Bishop Odowd High School is Dec. 11 / Jan. 8.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 4/25/2013

This school prepared my child to go onto college very well. We are very pleased with Bishop O''Dowd. We will be sending our youngest to BOD also.

- Posted by Parent - bobow

5 6/1/2012

I believe this school should extend applications and offer sport scholarships to new student amatuer or experienced.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - malai

Endorse Bishop Odowd High School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Oakland, CA is $25,241 for elementary schools and $23,712 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Oakland, CA is 77% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).