Westside Waldorf School Photo

Best Santa Monica Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 private schools serving 4,123 students in Santa Monica, CA (there are 14 public schools, serving 7,984 public students). 34% of all K-12 students in Santa Monica, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Santa Monica, CA include St. Monica Catholic High School, Carlthorp School, and New Roads School.
The average tuition cost is $27,554, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,024.
42% of private schools in Santa Monica, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Santa Monica Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Carlthorp School
438 San Vicente Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 451-1332
Gr: K-6 | 280 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1714 21st St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-7391
Gr: K-12 | 1,218 student Sports: 11 Tuition listed
First United Meth Church School
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
1008 11th St
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-7292
Gr: PK-K | 101 students
New Roads School
New Roads School Photo - New Roads School provides an inspired college preparatory program from which an authentically diverse student population, mirroring the rich diversity of Los Angeles, develops a personal dedication to learning, a respect for independent thinking, and an expanding curiosity about the world and its people.
(7)
3131 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5582
Gr: K-12 | 554 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Pacifica Christian High School
Pacifica Christian High School Photo
(Christian)
(33)
1730 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-7015
Gr: 9-12 | 256 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 24 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Annes School
St. Annes School Photo - Class engaged in blended learning. Half of the class in direct instruction with the teacher, half engaged in personal digital learning on individual learning profiles on chromebooks.
(Catholic)
(1)
2015 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2775
Gr: K-8 | 156 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 25 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Monica Catholic High School
St. Monica Catholic High School Photo - Our brand new Gym, Home of the Mighty Mariners!
(Catholic)
1030 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-3701
Gr: 9-12 | 371 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 24 Tuition listed
Saint Monica Preparatory
(Catholic)
(1)
1039 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 451-9801
Gr: PK-12 | 655 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 28 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Academic Achievers Academy
Alternative School
2500 Broadway St. #125
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 883-5810
Gr: K-6
Beth Shir Sholom Early Childhood Center
Beth Shir Sholom Early Childhood Center Photo
Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
1827 California Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 829-2517
Gr: NS-PK | 75 students
Garden Of Angels School
(1)
1009 18th St
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 453-4680
Gr: PK-1 | 90 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Lighthouse Christian Academy
Lighthouse Christian Academy Photo
(Pentecostal)
(1)
1424 Yale St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2522
Gr: 9-12 | 44 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
Lighthouse Church School
(Christian)
1220 20th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-1741
Gr: K-8 | 80 students Tuition listed
MUSE Global School
Special Program Emphasis
1220 Second Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(818) 880-5437
Gr: 2-12 Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 5
PS1 Pluralistic School
PS1 Pluralistic School Photo - Euclid Campus - Main Office, Youngers (K|1) Classrooms, Art, Music, Library, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), Community Room, Rooftop Garden, Playground, Bridge (2|3) Classroom, Childcare Program
(8)
1225 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 394-1313
Gr: K-6 | 170 students Avg. class size: 19 students Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition listed
Santa Monica Montessori
Montessori School
(3)
1909 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-3551
Gr: K-6 | 42 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
SmartStart Developmental Learning Center
Special Education School
2505 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-5437
Gr: NS-5 Tuition listed
Waldorf Early Childhood Center
Daycare / Preschool
1441 15th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 260-2708
Gr: PK-K | 31 students Tuition listed
Westside Waldorf School
Westside Waldorf School Photo
Waldorf School
(3)
1439-41 15th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 260-2708
Gr: NS-8 Sports: 3 Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1515 Maple St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 208-1666
Gr: K | 34 students

Overview

This Town (Santa Monica)
This State (CA)
# Schools
19 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,123 Students
665,722 Students
% Average Students of Color
50%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
567 Teachers
55,562 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
66%
59%
Average Class Size
17 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
15 courses

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$27,554
$18,024
Average Summer Program Cost
$590
$1,043
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$11,893
$8,935
Average Acceptance Rate
87%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$5.9 million
$34.01 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.72
0.74
# American Indian Students
32 Students
3,584 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
253 Students
72,174 Students
% Asian Students
6%
11%
# Hispanic Students
540 Students
104,627 Students
% Hispanic Students
13%
16%
# Black Students
338 Students
30,466 Students
% Black Students
8%
5%
# White Students
1,648 Students
236,488 Students
% White Students
41%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
34 Students
5,515 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
1,237 Students
190,072 Students
% of Others Students
30%
30%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
17 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Santa Monica, CA?
The top-ranked private schools in Santa Monica, CA include St. Monica Catholic High School, Carlthorp School, and New Roads School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Monica?
19 private schools are located in Santa Monica.
How much do private schools cost in Santa Monica?
The average tuition cost is $27,554, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,024.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica private schools are approximately 50% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Santa Monica go to private school?
34% of all K-12 students in Santa Monica are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Monica?
42% of private schools in Santa Monica are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Santa Monica are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Financial Aid 101 for Private School Families 2026
Financial Aid 101 for Private School Families 2026
Guide to private school financial aid in 2026, with current costs, key planning timelines and practical steps parents need to maximize aid options.
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in 2026
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in 2026
Discover why extracurricular activities remain essential in 2026, with updated research, costs, and admissions insights for parents and students.
How to Appeal for Financial Aid After Admission
How to Appeal for Financial Aid After Admission
Learn how to appeal for financial aid after admission to a private school, with expert steps, timelines, and 2026 updates for families.