Private School Review - Established 2003
Pacific Ridge School Photo - HARKNESS LEARNING: Students build critical communication skills and critical thinking through student-centered discussion-based learning.
Pacific Ridge School

Best California Private High Schools Belonging to California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 78 private high schools belonging to California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) serving 36,023 students in California. You can also find more schools membership associations in California.
The top ranked private high schools belonging to California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) in California include Castilleja School, Chadwick School, and The College Preparatory School.
The average tuition cost is $46,830, which is higher than the California private high school average tuition cost of $23,273.
19% of private high schools belonging to California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) in California are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).

Top Ranked Private High Schools Belonging to California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) in California (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Campbell Hall
Campbell Hall Photo
(Episcopal)
(9)
4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Valley Village, CA 91607
(818) 980-7280
Gr: K-12 | 1,148 student Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition listed
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.
(5)
2555 West Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Gr: 6-12 | 256 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
EF Academy Pasadena
EF Academy Pasadena Photo - Hands-on learning encourages our students to make their own discoveries. Calculate velocity in the real world by measuring the speed of a baseball!
(1)
1505 E Howard St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 507-9223
Gr: 9-12 | 265 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
The Harker School Upper School
The Harker School Upper School Photo - Harker's Eagle Buddies program matches upper school students with lower school students for three years. The buddies meet 3 times per year for fun and food!
500 Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 249-2510
Gr: K-12 | 798 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 27 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Immaculate Heart Middle & High School
Immaculate Heart Middle & High School Photo - Immaculate Heart Middle & High School students engage on campus.
All-girls (Catholic)
(4)
5515 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-3651
Gr: 6-12 | 687 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 14 Tuition listed
Mayfield Senior School
Mayfield Senior School Photo
All-girls (Catholic)
(2)
500 Bellefontaine St
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 799-9121
Gr: 9-12 | 304 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
Oakwood School
Oakwood School Photo
(4)
11230 Moorpark Street/11600 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 732-3150
Gr: K-12 | 822 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 21 | Extracurrculars: 45 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Pacific Ridge School
Pacific Ridge School Photo - HARKNESS LEARNING: Students build critical communication skills and critical thinking through student-centered discussion-based learning.
(6)
6269 El Fuerte St
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 448-9820
Gr: 6-12 | 695 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 47 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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.
2636 Latham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
(916) 481-8811
Gr: PK-12 | 594 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
San Domenico School
San Domenico School Photo
(15)
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Gr: K-12 | 680 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 30
Lycee Francais De San Francisco
Lycee Francais De San Francisco Photo - Respect, one of the Lycee values, is essential to building a trusting and healthy learning environment. At Lycee, we emphasize the importance of inclusion through respect for others as well as self-respect.
Special Program Emphasis
610 Coloma Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 661-5232
Gr: NS-12 | 170 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Army and Navy Academy
Army and Navy Academy Photo
All-boys | Special Program Emphasis
(1)
2605 Carlsbad Boulevard
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
Gr: 7-12 | 285 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 20 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Bentley School
Bentley School Photo
(1)
1000 Upper Happy Valley Rd
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 283-2101
Gr: K-12 | 660 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Besant Hill School
Besant Hill School Photo - Nestled on 520 stunning acres in Ojai Valley, Besant Hill School offers breathtaking views, 3 dorms, an aquatic center, theater, studios, and classrooms tucked among oak trees. Our greenhouses and outdoor sports facilities complete the vibrant, inspiring campus.
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Gr: 9-12 | 72 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Bishop Garcia Diego High School
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Photo
(Catholic)
(40)
4000 La Colina Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
Gr: 9-12 | 282 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Bishop's School
The Bishop's School Photo - By their very nature, Bishop's students opt in. This includes the visual and performing arts, where students often go beyond their studies to become dancers, musicians, actors and artists of every stripe. Confidence in the arts opens new worlds to our students - and brings beauty to ours.
(Episcopal)
(2)
7607 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-4021
Gr: 6-12 | 800 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 18 Tuition listed
Brentwood School
Brentwood School Photo
(2)
100 South Barrington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 889-2657
Gr: K-12 | 1,244 student Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 21 Tuition listed
Bridges Academy
Bridges Academy Photo - Bridges is a college prep school serving twice-exceptional (2e) students--students who are gifted and have learning differences. Bridges graduates move to to colleges and universities across the country.
Special Program Emphasis
(12)
3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 506-1091
Gr: 4-12 | 162 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cal Coast Academy
Cal Coast Academy Photo
(2)
11555 Clews Ranch Road
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 481-0882
Gr: 6-12 | 58 students Avg. class size: 6 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Castilleja School
Castilleja School Photo - Swimming and water polo happen in our on-campus pool.
All-girls
(2)
1310 Bryant St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-3160
Gr: 6-12 | 424 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 11 Tuition listed
Chadwick School
Chadwick School Photo
26800 Academy Drive
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 377-1543
Gr: K-12 | 865 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 17 | Extracurrculars: 32 Tuition listed
The College Preparatory School
The College Preparatory School Photo - All School Assembly
6100 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 652-0111
Gr: 9-12 | 373 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Convent & Stuart Hall
Convent & Stuart Hall Photo
(Catholic)
(1)
2222 Broadway St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 563-2900
Gr: K-12 Sports: 16 Tuition listed
Crystal Springs
Crystal Springs Photo
400 Uplands Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 342-4175
Gr: 6-12 | 576 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 17 Tuition listed
Francis Parker School
Francis Parker School Photo - 100% of Parker grads go on to college; many of them are admitted to their first choice programs.
(3)
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Gr: PK-12 | 1,313 student Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 21 | Extracurrculars: 68 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
German International School of Silicon Valley
German International School of Silicon Valley Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
310 Easy Street
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 254-0748
Gr: PK-12 | 563 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 7 Tuition listed
The Grauer School
The Grauer School Photo - Rendering of The Great Hall, The Grauer School
(1)
1500 El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
Gr: 7-12 | 166 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Harvard-westlake School
3700 Coldwater Canyon Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 980-6692
Gr: 7-12 | 1,611 student Sports: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Head Royce School
Head Royce School Photo - Upper School Classroom
(1)
4315 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 531-1300
Gr: K-12 | 877 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hillbrook School
Hillbrook School Photo - Hillbrook's campus features an array of outdoor learning spaces including gardens, stately oak trees, and a creek.
(2)
300 Marchmont Dr
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 356-6116
Gr: PK-12 | 487 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Idyllwild Arts Academy is home to approximately 270 students from 30 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.
(7)
52500 Temecula Road #38
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Gr: 9-12 | 271 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 24 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
International School of Los Angeles - Burbank
Special Program Emphasis
1105 W Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 900-1895
Gr: 6-12 | 398 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
The International School of San Francisco
The International School of San Francisco Photo - The International School of San Francisco
(1)
150 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 558-2000
Gr: PK-12 | 1,067 student Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
The Kehillah School
The Kehillah School Photo - World-class academics in a supportive environment
Special Program Emphasis (Jewish)
(1)
3900 Fabian Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 213-9600
Gr: 9-12 | 190 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 30 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla Country Day School Photo - New in Fall 2026! The Hub for Human Impact is a three-story, 20,000-square-foot addition at the heart of campus.
(5)
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 453-3440
Gr: NS-12 | 1,169 student Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 24 | Extracurrculars: 51 Tuition listed
Show 43 more private schools in California (out of 78 total schools)
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