Stevenson School Carmel Campus Photo

Best Monterey County Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 private preschools serving 2,143 students in Monterey County, CA.
The top-ranked private preschools in Monterey County, CA include Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School, San Carlos School, and All Saints Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 59%, which is lower than the California private preschool average acceptance rate of 82%.
67% of private preschools in Monterey County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).

Top-Ranked Monterey County Private Preschools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
All Saints Day School
All Saints Day School Photo - Nestled along the river on over 20 scenic acres, our campus offers one of Monterey's most inspiring settings for education and exploration. Recent upgrades include a state-of-the-art sports complex with a turf field, track, tennis courts, organic garden, amphitheater, and an enhanced outdoor chapel. These spaces are designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of every student.
(Episcopal)
(21)
8060 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-9171
Gr: NS-8 | 259 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Junipero Serra School
Junipero Serra School Photo - Junipero Serra School, Carmel, CA
(Catholic)
(4)
3090 Rio Rd.
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-8322
Gr: PK-8 | 130 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
Sacred Heart School
(Catholic)
123 W Market St
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 771-1310
Gr: NS-8 | 352 students Avg. class size: 34 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
San Carlos School
(Catholic)
450 Church St
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 375-1324
Gr: PK-8 | 290 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
1500 Mark Thomas Drive
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 655-9337
Gr: PK-8 | 260 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
24800 Dolores St
Carmel By The Sea, CA 93921
(831) 574-4600
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Madonna Del Sasso School
(Catholic)
20 Santa Teresa Way
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 424-7813
Gr: PK-8 | 235 students
Monterey Bay Christian School
(Assembly of God)
(2)
1184 Hilby Ave
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-2060
Gr: PK-12 | 253 students
Pegasus Montessori School
All-girls | Daycare / Preschool
(1)
305 Reindollar Ave
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 883-1216
Gr: PK-K | 30 students
Potrero Canyon School
Daycare / Preschool
8340 Carmel Valley Rd
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 625-0545
Gr: PK-K | 46 students
Ryan Ranch Childrens Center Preschool
Daycare / Preschool
2 Justin Ct
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 647-9556
Gr: PK-K | 19 students
St. Dunstan's Episcopal School
Montessori School (Episcopal)
28003 Robinson Canyon Rd
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-9250
Gr: PK-K | 51 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Monterey County, California

Monterey County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
274 Kidder St
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-2885
Gr: K-12
298 E Market St
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 759-1840
Gr: PK-12 | 48 students
526 California St
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-0321
Gr: 3-11 | 28 students

Overview

This County (Monterey County)
This State (CA)
# Schools
12 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
2,143 Students
363,098 Students
% Average Students of Color
46%
50%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
178 Teachers
26,506 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
39%
58%
Average Class Size
25 students
18 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$21,718
$15,625
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
25%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$18,000
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
59%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$60.8 million
$31 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.70
0.70
# American Indian Students
5 Students
1,693 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
141 Students
30,302 Students
% Asian Students
8%
9%
# Hispanic Students
411 Students
43,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
22%
12%
# Black Students
34 Students
12,399 Students
% Black Students
2%
4%
# White Students
875 Students
112,259 Students
% White Students
46%
32%
# Hawaiian Students
45 Students
2,000 Students
% Hawaiian Students
2%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
383 Students
144,324 Students
% of Others Students
20%
42%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in Monterey County, CA?
The top-ranked private preschools in Monterey County, CA include Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School, San Carlos School, and All Saints Day School.
How many private preschools are located in Monterey County?
12 private preschools are located in Monterey County.
How diverse are private preschools in Monterey County?
Monterey County private preschools are approximately 46% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Monterey County?
67% of private preschools in Monterey County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).
Which private preschools in Monterey County are often viewed compared to one another?

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