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Best California Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 3,925 private schools serving 667,968 students in California (there are 10,369 public schools, serving 5,826,838 students). 10% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $17,263 for elementary schools and $23,053 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in California include The Webb Schools, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, and The Bishop's School.
The average acceptance rate is 80% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 51% and the student:teacher ratio is 12:1.
48% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Top Ranked California Private Schools by County (2025)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
226
34,724
13%
12
1,385
5%
35
6,674
3%
40
6,525
3%
1,145
194,365
13%
49
8,614
22%
16
2,131
3%
24
4,530
20%
408
74,124
14%
34
4,370
6%
153
25,013
6%
308
52,610
10%
118
21,863
20%
263
60,002
19%
14
2,063
7%
32
4,510
7%
62
6,540
9%
16
2,656
3%
93
24,435
14%
16
1,409
5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in California?
The top-ranked private schools in California include The Webb Schools, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, and The Bishop's School.
How many private schools are located in California?
There are 3,925 private schools are located in California.
How much do private schools cost in California?
The average private school tuition in California is $17,263 for elementary schools and $23,053 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in California?
Approximately 51% of students in California private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in California go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in California attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in California?
48% of private schools in California are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in California are often viewed compared to one another?

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