Private School Review - Established 2003
Lighthouse Christian Academy Photo
Lighthouse Christian Academy

Best Santa Monica Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 18 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, Saint Monica Preparatory, and Carlthorp School.
The average tuition cost is $27,554, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,027.
44% of private schools in Santa Monica, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top Ranked Santa Monica Private Schools (2025-26)

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
Crossroads School For Arts & Sciences
1714 21st St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 309-9863
Gr: K-12 | 1,218 student 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
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
(5)
1225 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 394-1313
Gr: K-6 | 170 students Avg. class size: 19 students Extracurrculars: 15 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
Circle Of Children Developmental Kindergarten (Closed 2023)
Daycare / Preschool
1515 Maple St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 208-1666
Gr: 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?
18 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 $18,027.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica private schools are approximately 42% 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?
44% 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?

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