For the 2025 school year, there are 17 private schools serving 4,153 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, Saint Monica Preparatory, and Carlthorp School.
The average tuition cost is $26,755, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,831.
Top Ranked Santa Monica Private Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1714 21st St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 309-9863
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 309-9863
Grades: K-12
| 1,218 students
First United Meth Church School
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
1008 11th St
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-7292
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-7292
Grades: PK-K
| 101 students
3131 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5582
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5582
Grades: K-12
| 554 students
1730 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-7015
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-7015
Grades: 9-12
| 256 students
1225 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 394-1313
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 394-1313
Grades: K-6
| 200 students
2015 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2775
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2775
Grades: K-8
| 156 students
St. Monica Catholic High School![St. Monica Catholic High School Photo - Our brand new Gym, Home of the Mighty Mariners! 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
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-3701
Grades: 9-12
| 371 students
1039 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 451-9801
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 451-9801
Grades: PK-12
| 655 students
Academic Achievers Academy
Alternative School
2500 Broadway St. #125
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 883-5810
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 883-5810
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
Beth Shir Sholom Early Childhood Center![Beth Shir Sholom Early Childhood Center Photo Beth Shir Sholom Early Childhood Center Photo]()

Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
1827 California Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 829-2517
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 829-2517
Grades: NS-PK
| 75 students
1009 18th St
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 453-4680
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 453-4680
Grades: PK-1
| 90 students
1424 Yale St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2522
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2522
Grades: 9-12
| 44 students
Lighthouse Church School
(Christian)
1220 20th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-1741
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-1741
Grades: K-8
| 80 students
1909 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-3551
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-3551
Grades: K-6
| 42 students
SmartStart Developmental Learning Center
Special Education School
2505 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-5437
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-5437
Grades: NS-5
| n/a students
Waldorf Early Childhood Center
Daycare / Preschool
1441 15th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 260-2708
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 260-2708
Grades: PK-K
| 31 students
Santa Monica, California Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Circle Of Children Developmental Kindergarten (Closed 2023)
Daycare / Preschool
1515 Maple St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 208-1666
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 208-1666
Grades: K
| 34 students
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, Saint Monica Preparatory, and Carlthorp School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Monica?
17 private schools are located in Santa Monica.
How much do private schools cost in Santa Monica?
The average tuition cost is $26,755, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,831.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica private schools are approximately 41% 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?
Which private schools in Santa Monica are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Santa Monica include: Garden Of Angels School vs. Santa Monica Montessori, Santa Monica Montessori vs. Garden Of Angels School
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