Castilleja School Photo - Swimming and water polo happen in our on-campus pool.

Best Palo Alto Private High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 private high schools serving 2,279 students in Palo Alto, CA.
The top-ranked private high schools in Palo Alto, CA include Bowman School, Hope Technology School, and The Kehillah School.
The average acceptance rate is 72%, which is lower than the California private high school average acceptance rate of 78%.
25% of private high schools in Palo Alto, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Other).

Top-Ranked Palo Alto Private High Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Fusion Academy Palo Alto
Fusion Academy Palo Alto Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.
Alternative School
2191 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
Bowman School
Bowman School Photo
Montessori School
(1)
4000 Terman Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 813-9131
Gr: NS-12 | 265 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition 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
2525 E Bayshore Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 565-8391
Gr: PK-12 | 107 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 3 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
Silicon Valley International School
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
151 Laura Ln
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 251-8500
Gr: PK-12 | 808 students Avg. class size: 7 students Sports: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Achieve Inc.
Special Education School
3860 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 494-1200
Gr: 3-12 | 49 students Tuition listed
1041 Myrtle St
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 688-0850
Gr: 9-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 18 students Acceptance rate listed
Esther B Clark School-childrens Health Council
Special Education School
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 688-3634
Gr: 2-10 | 78 students Avg. class size: 11 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4000 Middlefield Rd # 29
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 646-1066
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students
Living Wisdom School Of Palo Alto
Alternative School
(1)
456 College Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 462-8150
Gr: K-12 | 78 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Meira Academy
All-girls | Alternative School (Jewish)
3921 Fabian Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(646) 240-6772
Gr: 9-12 | 12 students Tuition listed

Overview

This Town (Palo Alto)
This State (CA)
# Schools
12 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
2,279 Students
275,263 Students
% Average Students of Color
55%
49%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
381 Teachers
26,865 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
76%
61%
Average Class Size
12 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
14 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1411
(Out of 1600)
1264
Average ACT score
33
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$41,492
$23,315
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
33%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,000
$12,596
Average Acceptance Rate
72%
78%
Average Endowment Size
$49.33 million
$30.35 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.78
0.73
# American Indian Students
57 Students
1,844 Students
% American Indian Students
3%
1%
# Asian Students
371 Students
35,016 Students
% Asian Students
18%
13%
# Hispanic Students
298 Students
43,318 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
16%
# Black Students
98 Students
15,939 Students
% Black Students
5%
6%
# White Students
670 Students
115,884 Students
% White Students
32%
44%
# Hawaiian Students
31 Students
2,957 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
564 Students
49,042 Students
% of Others Students
27%
19%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
12 extracurriculars
14 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
10 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private high schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top-ranked private high schools in Palo Alto, CA include Bowman School, Hope Technology School, and The Kehillah School.
How many private high schools are located in Palo Alto?
12 private high schools are located in Palo Alto.
How diverse are private high schools in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto private high schools are approximately 55% minority students, which is higher than the California private school average of 49%.
What percentage of private high schools are religiously affiliated in Palo Alto?
25% of private high schools in Palo Alto are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Other).

Recent Articles

Private School Fees Increase Mid-Year: A Parent Action Plan
Private School Fees Increase Mid-Year: A Parent Action Plan
A 2026 parent action plan for managing mid-year private school tuition increases, including contracts, negotiation tips, and financial options.
Private School Scholarship Scams & Red Flags to Watch Out For (2026 Guide)
Private School Scholarship Scams & Red Flags to Watch Out For (2026 Guide)
Learn how to spot private school scholarship scams in 2026, including red flags, real examples, and expert tips to protect families.
Diversity in Private Schools: Progress and Obstacles in 2026
Diversity in Private Schools: Progress and Obstacles in 2026
Explore how private schools are advancing diversity in 2026, key gains made, ongoing challenges, and what families should know.