Private School Review - Established 2003
Almaden Country Day School Photo - Students in grades 1-5 all play a role in our theater arts program performing once a year in a full-length production. They learn lines, songs, and choreography, step into their characters' shoes to strengthen their empathy "muscles" and gain confidence along the way!
Almaden Country Day School

Best California Private Preschools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 103 private preschools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) serving 38,443 students in California. You can also find more schools membership associations in California.
The top ranked private preschools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in California include BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, BASIS Independent Fremont, and Francis Parker School.
The average tuition cost is $30,169, which is higher than the California private preschool average tuition cost of $15,632.
25% of private preschools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in California are religiously affiliated (most commonly Episcopal and Catholic).

Top Ranked Private Preschools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in California (2025)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Almaden Country Day School
Almaden Country Day School Photo - Our dedicated faculty deliver personalized instruction to students embracing each student as an individual. Lessons are engaging, inquiry-focused, hands-on, and highly collaborative to prepare students for high school and beyond. Teachers are not solely focused on delivering instruction; rather, they are focused on each child feeling seen and care for, and teaching children to be lifelong learners.
(20)
6835 Trinidad Drive
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 997-0424
Gr: PK-8 | 420 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
BASIS Independent Fremont
BASIS Independent Fremont Photo
(1)
3300 Kearney Street
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 722-1056
Gr: PK-12 | 698 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 31 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Photo
(1)
1290 Parkmoor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
(669) 766-1001
Gr: PK-12 | 1,248 student Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 83 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Clairbourn School
Clairbourn School Photo
(17)
8400 Huntington Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 286-3108
Gr: NS-8 | 283 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
Foothill Country Day School
Foothill Country Day School Photo - Field Day and Art Walk is a tradition that dates back to our school's founding. Since our school was founded around a 1954 Kentucky Derby winner named Determine, we hold a day of races and fun each year on Derby Day. Our kids are superheroes!
(11)
1035 Harrison Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 626-5681
Gr: NS-8 | 438 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hollywood Schoolhouse
Hollywood Schoolhouse Photo
(1)
1233 North McCaddden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 465-1320
Gr: PK-6 | 277 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles
Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles Photo - Homecoming!
(5)
3261 Overland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 836-3464
Gr: NS-12 | 734 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
Phillips Brooks School
Phillips Brooks School Photo
(8)
2245 Avy Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4545
Gr: NS-5 | 306 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 2 Tuition listed
Pilgrim School
Pilgrim School Photo
(7)
540 S Commonwealth Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 355-5204
Gr: PK-12 | 373 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 10 Tuition listed
Prospect Sierra School
Prospect Sierra School Photo
2060 Tapscott Ave / 960 Avis Drive
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 809-9001
Gr: PK-8 | 458 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 5 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 | 597 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Anne School
St. Anne School Photo
(Catholic)
(3)
32451 Bear Brand Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 276-6700
Gr: PK-8 | 534 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Mary's School
St. Mary's School Photo
(Christian)
(2)
7 Pursuit
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 448-9027
Gr: NS-8 | 702 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 36 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Trinity School
Trinity School Photo - Where Curiosity Meets Character
(Episcopal)
2650 Sand Hill Rd
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-0288
Gr: NS-5 | 153 students Avg. class size: 18 students Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Westside Neighborhood School
Westside Neighborhood School Photo
(9)
5401 Beethoven Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 574-8650
Gr: NS-8 | 657 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
The Berkeley School
The Berkeley School Photo - Students work collaboratively during morning choice time
(1)
1310 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
Gr: PK-8 Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Lycee Francais de San Francisco
Lycee Francais de San Francisco Photo - Main subjects, from science to writing and reading, are introduced in preschool, and revisited, year after year, each time more in depth.
755 Ashbury Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 661-5232
Gr: NS-5 Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
St. Patricks Episcopal Day School
St. Patricks Episcopal Day School Photo - St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School, a CAIS and WASC-accredited KR-8 school, inspires and equips students to transform the world. We welcome families of all faiths and emphasize academics, leadership, public speaking, and a spiritual foundation to nurture well-rounded, confident, and compassionate students.
(Episcopal)
(6)
1 Church Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 497-1416
Gr: PK-8 | 160 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Shu Ren International School, Berkeley
Shu Ren International School, Berkeley Photo - We use Inquiry to provoke curiosity, creative thinking and problem solving.
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
2125 Jefferson Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 841-8899
Gr: NS-5 | 160 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
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)
(11)
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
Barnhart School
Barnhart School Photo - In addition to yearly plays, there are numerous opportunities for students to practice their public speaking skills.
(8)
240 W Colorado Blvd
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-5588
Gr: PK-8 | 185 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Belmont Oaks Academy
Belmont Oaks Academy Photo - A string quartet performs for elementary students on the porch of the lower elementary building.
2200 Carlmont Dr
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 593-6175
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition listed
Berkeley Hall School
Berkeley Hall School Photo - House Days are fun days for different age groups to get together to complete challenges around campus.
(10)
16000 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 476-6421
Gr: NS-8 | 254 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
The Carey School
The Carey School Photo
1 Carey School Lane
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-8205
Gr: NS-5 | 292 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Children's Day School
333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Gr: PK-8 | 511 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Childrens School
The Childrens School Photo - We know children learn best by doing, so our play-based preschool classrooms are rich environments where students explore activity centers and develop emergent interests.
(5)
2225 Torrey Pines Lane
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-0184
Gr: NS-8 | 262 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Chinese American International School
Chinese American International School Photo - Chinese New Year
Special Program Emphasis
3250 19th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 865-6084
Gr: PK-8 | 555 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Country School
(5)
5243 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Valley Village, CA 91607
(818) 752-1546
Gr: PK-8 | 200 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
Curtis School
Curtis School Photo - Established in 1925, Curtis School offers a balanced program in academics, the arts, and athletics. Our unique campus affords children wide spaces to stretch out and run and play in.
(2)
15871 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 889-3700
Gr: PK-6 | 494 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley
Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley Photo
(3)
1009 Heinz Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 809-0641
Gr: NS-8 | 431 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew Photo - Empowering today's learners to become tomorrow's leaders.
(Episcopal)
16 Baldwin Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 274-0775
Gr: PK-8 | 326 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
4550 San Pablo Ave
Emeryville, CA 94609
(510) 653-3324
Gr: PK-8 | 301 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 13 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
Ghs Academy- Golden Hills School
Ghs Academy- Golden Hills School Photo - With thoughtful support and encouragement for high standards in academics and character development, GHS students excel in test scores and competitions both locally and statewide. Our graduates are actively recruited by local private high schools, are accepted by the one school for which they apply, and go on to top state and nationally-ranked colleges.
(9)
1060 Suncast Lane
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(916) 933-0100
Gr: PK-8 | 168 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Gillispie School
The Gillispie School Photo - Students at Gillispie are excited about learning, and this excitement can be seen and felt on campus each day. Lessons are interactive and engaging, questions are encouraged, and students and teachers alike are excited to share their lessons with other on campus.
(3)
7380 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-3773
Gr: PK-6 | 369 students Avg. class size: 14 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Show 68 more private schools in California (out of 103 total schools)
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