Private School Review - Established 2003
Mission College Prep High School Top 22 · Oldest Founding Date (CA)
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy
Old Mission School Top 22 · Oldest Founding Date (CA)

San Luis Obispo Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 private schools serving 1,514 students in San Luis Obispo, CA, 20% of all K-12 students in San Luis Obispo, CA are educated in private schools versus public schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The average acceptance rate is 90%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 80%.
44% of private schools in San Luis Obispo, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 9
  • # Students Served: 1,514
  • Average Tuition: $25,586
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 34%
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 26%
  • View San Luis Obispo, CA School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 9
  • # Students Served: 1,514
  • Average Tuition: $25,586
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 34%
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 26%
  • View San Luis Obispo, CA School Trends

Top Ranked San Luis Obispo Private Schools (2026-27)

Mission College Prep High School Photo
Mission College Prep High School
Gr: 9-12 | 273 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Catholic
682 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
(1)
View Profile
Old Mission School Photo
Old Mission School
Gr: PK-8 | 330 students
Avg. class size: 35 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 4
Catholic
761 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
View Profile
Map of Orfalea Family & Asi Children's Center Rm # 133
Orfalea Family & Asi Children's Center Rm # 133
Gr: PK-K | 119 students
Daycare / Preschool
1 Grand Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
(805) 756-1267
View Profile
Map of San Luis Obispo Christian Academy
San Luis Obispo Christian Academy
Gr: K-6 | 43 students
Christian
2075 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-1146
View Profile
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Photo
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 394 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 2
165 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 548-8700
(2)
View Profile
Map of Christ Classical School
Christ Classical School
Gr: K-6 | 41 students
Avg. class size: 4 students
880 Laureate Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 453-6161
View Profile
Map of Lindamood Bell Academy
Lindamood Bell Academy
Gr: 3-12 | 35 students
416 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 541-3836
View Profile
Map of Lindamood-bell Learning Processes San Rafael
Lindamood-bell Learning Processes San Rafael
Gr: K-12 | 193 students
Alternative School
406 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 541-5765
View Profile
Map of Montessori Childrens School
Montessori Childrens School
Gr: PK-6 | 86 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Montessori School
4200 S Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 544-6691
View Profile
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo, California Private Schools (Closed)

Map of San Luis Obispo Christian School
San Luis Obispo Christian School
Gr: K-6 | 36 students
Christian
51 W Foothill Blvd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-6546
View Profile

San Luis Obispo, CA Private School Trends (10-Year)

9
Private Schools
+28.6% (+2 schools) 10-yr
1,514
Students
+13.2% (+176 students) 10-yr
$25,586
Avg. Tuition
+218.2% (+$17,546) 10-yr
18
Avg. Class Size
-10.0% (-2 students) 10-yr
26%
Students of Color
+62.5% (+10.0 pp) 10-yr
12:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
+9.1% (+1.0) 10-yr
Download town snapshot: CSV | XML | JSON Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission.
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This Town (San Luis Obispo)
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
3,911 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA Total Schools
20259
20249
20239
20228
202110
202010
20198
20189
20178
20167
20157
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
1,514 Students
659,573 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025168180179
2024168175172
2023173181174
2022176189185
2021169185180
2020169179171
2019188179175
2018167173172
2017181179180
2016191173178
2015191162167
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Students of Color
26%
52%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202526%51%34%
202426%51%34%
202325%50%33%
202213%48%33%
202114%48%32%
202014%48%32%
201918%48%31%
201817%47%31%
201716%50%32%
201616%49%32%
201516%49%32%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

0.64
0.74

Diversity Score Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20250.640.740.65
20240.640.740.65
20230.640.740.65
20220.530.730.64
20210.570.730.64
20200.570.730.64
20190.570.730.63
20180.570.730.63
20170.540.720.61
20160.520.720.61
20150.520.720.61
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

▼ Show more data/charts: racial breakdown
# American Indian Students
41 Students
3,575 Students
% American Indian Students
3%
1%

Percentage of Private School Students of American Indian Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20253%1%1%
20243%1%1%
20233%1%1%
20191%2%1%
20181%1%2%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Asian Students
80 Students
71,836 Students
% Asian Students
5%
11%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20255%11%5%
20245%11%5%
20235%11%5%
20223%10%4%
20214%10%4%
20204%10%4%
20194%10%4%
20184%10%4%
20171%10%4%
20161%10%4%
20151%10%4%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hispanic Students
70 Students
104,429 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
16%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20255%16%9%
20245%16%9%
20235%16%9%
20226%16%8%
20215%16%9%
20205%16%9%
20197%16%8%
20188%17%8%
20175%17%8%
20166%17%8%
20156%17%8%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Black Students
40 Students
30,223 Students
% Black Students
3%
5%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20253%5%7%
20243%5%7%
20232%5%8%
20221%4%7%
20211%5%7%
20201%5%8%
20191%4%7%
20181%4%7%
20171%5%7%
20161%5%7%
20151%5%8%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# White Students
661 Students
235,809 Students
% White Students
44%
37%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202544%37%52%
202444%37%52%
202346%38%52%
202263%40%54%
202155%40%54%
202055%40%54%
201959%41%56%
201860%41%56%
201759%43%58%
201663%43%58%
201563%43%58%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
5,499 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
617 Students
188,502 Students
% of Others Students
41%
29%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202540%29%26%
202440%29%26%
202339%28%25%
202227%28%25%
202135%27%25%
202035%27%24%
201928%26%24%
201826%26%23%
201734%24%22%
201629%24%22%
201529%23%21%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups
Academics
# Teachers
122 Teachers
55,645 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202512:112:111:1
202412:112:111:1
202314:112:111:1
202213:112:111:1
202114:113:111:1
202014:113:112:1
201914:112:112:1
201813:112:112:1
201712:113:112:1
201611:113:112:1
201511:113:112:1
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
5%
59%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20255%59%55%
20245%58%54%
20235%58%54%
20225%59%54%
202143%59%54%
202043%58%54%
201943%58%53%
20185%58%53%
20175%58%53%
20165%57%52%
20155%57%52%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Class Size
18 students
17 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025181715
2024191715
2023191715
2022191715
2021181715
2020181715
2019181715
2018181715
2017181715
2016201715
2015201715
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
15 courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025111513
2024131412
2023131311
2022131311
2021161311
2020161311
2019161311
2018131311
2017131210
2016131210
2015131110
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$25,586
$18,344

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025$25,586$18,076$15,012
2024$6,938$17,195$13,254
2023$6,938$16,660$12,626
2022$5,950$15,979$12,187
2021$6,633$15,298$11,800
2020$6,633$14,748$11,512
2019$6,633$14,369$11,293
2018$6,383$13,813$11,017
2017$6,217$13,422$10,708
2016$8,040$12,852$10,356
2015$8,040$11,932$9,939
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average % on Financial Aid
34%
29%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202534%29%34%
202434%29%34%
202334%29%34%
202234%28%33%
202126%28%33%
202026%28%32%
201926%27%31%
201826%27%30%
201726%27%30%
201619%26%29%
201519%25%28%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,980
$9,066

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025$2,980$8,932$7,073
2024$2,980$8,712$6,930
2023$2,980$8,186$6,469
2022$2,980$8,205$6,289
2021$2,485$7,081$6,055
2020$2,485$6,794$5,921
2019$2,485$6,413$5,795
2018$2,485$5,977$5,456
2017$2,510$5,752$5,319
2016$2,514$5,279$5,105
2015$2,514$5,100$5,030
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$34.25 million
Admissions & Athletics
Average Acceptance Rate
90%
80%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2015-2025)

YearSan Luis Obispo, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202590%80%81%
202486%84%85%
202386%84%85%
202286%84%85%
202187%84%85%
202087%84%85%
201987%84%85%
201889%84%85%
201788%85%85%
201695%84%85%
201595%84%85%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full Town Data: Full Town Dataset XML | Full Town Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Number of Extracurriculars
3 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in San Luis Obispo, CA?
How many private schools are located in San Luis Obispo?
9 private schools are located in San Luis Obispo.
How diverse are private schools in San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo private schools are approximately 26% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 52%.
What percentage of students in San Luis Obispo go to private school?
20% of all K-12 students in San Luis Obispo are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in San Luis Obispo?
44% of private schools in San Luis Obispo are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).
Which private schools in San Luis Obispo are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Will This Curriculum Still Matter in 2035?
Will This Curriculum Still Matter in 2035?
Learn how to evaluate future-ready private school curricula for 2035, focusing on durable knowledge, critical thinking, AI literacy, adaptability, communication, creativity, and real-world learning before choosing a school.
Private Schools for Creators, Trades & Startups
Private Schools for Creators, Trades & Startups
Explore how private schools support non-traditional career paths in creative industries, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship, plus what families should evaluate when choosing specialized programs for future-ready students today.
First 90 Days at Private School: Parent Guide
First 90 Days at Private School: Parent Guide
Learn how to read your child’s first 90 days at private school, distinguish healthy adjustment from genuine struggles, and know when academic, social, or emotional concerns require action.
Area schools map

Filter Schools

School Level
Must Offer Grade
▼ Show more
Gender
School Focus
Religious Affiliation
ADD/ADHD Support
Summer Program

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (CA):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA: