Francis Parker School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

Name: Open House
Start: 2026-10-31T08:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-10-31T11:00:00-07:00
Location: Francis Parker School

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About the School

Francis Parker School is committed to graduating students who embody those qualities essential for academic success and personal fulfillment - intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, passion for learning, ethical responsibility, self-reliance, community engagement, and global competence - by offering a balanced, challenging, and integrated Junior Kindergarten - Grade 12 educational program in academics, athletics, and the arts, all in a vibrant and diverse school community.

Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 1,313 students
Yearly Tuition: $40,000
Acceptance rate: 35%
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Source: ✓Verified school update

Upcoming Events

School Rankings

Francis Parker School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Other school association(s)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
National Association of College Admissions Counselors
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
National Honor Society (NHS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Francis Parker School
Pre-K	48
Kind	60
1	60
2	60
3	60
4	60
5	60
6	115
7	115
8	115
9	140
10	140
11	140
12	140

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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.

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1912

Colors

Teal, Brown, Gold

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

First Day of School

Tue. Sep 8, 2026

Last Day of School

Wed. Jun 9, 2027

Campus Size

22 acres

Student Body

Total Students

1,313 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

43%

State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

123 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

11:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

67%

Average Class Size

16 students

Number of AP Courses

26 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP African American StudiesAP Art History

AP BiologyAP Chemistry

AP Chinese Language and CultureAP Computer Science A

AP EconomicsAP English Language and Composition

AP English Literature and CompositionAP Environmental Science

AP French Language and CultureAP Government and Politics

AP Music TheoryAP Physics 1

AP Physics 2AP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Physics C: Mechanics and Elec. & Magnet.AP Psychology

AP Spanish Language and CultureAP Studio Art – 2-D: Photography

AP Studio Art – Drawing and 2-D DesignAP United States History

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Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Feb. 1

Yearly Tuition Cost

$40,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition ranges from $27,600 to $43,000 depending on the division.

Summer Program Cost Notes

Cost varies based on program

% on Financial Aid

24%

Acceptance Rate

35%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Tyler Fereira

Admissions Associate

Shannon Caraveo

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$62.8 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

21 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

CheeringCross Country

DanceE-sports

Flag FootballFootball

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWater Polo

Winter Track

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

68 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Academic LeagueAdmissions Ambassadors (Lower, Middle and Upper School)

Alliance of Youth AdvocatesASU - Asian Student Union

Chess ClubChristian Club

Feminist ClubFilm Club

Finance and Trading ClubFrancis Parker Amnesty International

Games ClubGardening Club

GSA - Gender Sexuality AllianceHealth Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

Horizons at ParkerImprov Club

India Culture ClubInteract

International Music ClubJTEEN - Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Network

Lancer LegionLASO - Latin American Student Association

LGBTQ+Library Ambassadors

MECCA - Middle Eastern Culture ClubMock Trial

Model UNNational Arts Honor Society

National Chinese Honor SocietyNational Hispanic Honor Society

National History DayNIA - Black/African/Multiracial/Transracial Adoptee students

Outdoor ClubPages for Progress

Parker NewsParker Red Cross Club

Parker Writers CirclePeer Tutoring

Physics ClubPodcast Club

QuizbowlRed Cross Club

Remote Medicine InternationalReSurf

RoboticsRobotics - Lower School Club

Robotics - Middle School FIRST Lego LeagueRobotics - Middle School FIRST Tech Challenge

Robotics - Upper School OverClocked (FIRST Robotics Challenge)Scientific Writing Club

See SDSEPA (Student Environmental Protection Association)

SPEAK - First-generation/college-bound Latino studentsSpeech and Debate

Students Helping Students Tutoring ClubSuper Smash Bros. Club

UNICEF at ParkerUNICEF Club

Weightlifting ClubYoung Leaders in Healthcare

Young Ventures ClubYouth Care Club (YCC)

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Arts and Music Programs:

Bema (Literary Magazine)Dead Potters Society (Ceramics Club)

Drama Club - Middle and Upper SchoolJazz Club

Scribe (Newspaper/Publication)Yearbook

School Notes

The mission of Francis Parker School is to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective and strength of character perpare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.

School Mascot: Lancer

We are committed to developing students who:

STRIVE for academic excellence while maintaining social and emotional well-being and balance;
PARTICIPATE in the fundamental human conversation on what is right, fair, and good by developing the necessary skills, aptitude, and imagination;
THINK critically, write persuasively, and communicate confidently;
GROW familiar with the cultural, political, historical, scientific, ethical, and economic forces shaping their world;
POSSESS the tools necessary to realize their individual talents and potential in their academic and professional lives;and
EMBRACE the larger world through meaningful, age-appropriate opportunities for experiential education.

Francis Parker School is San Diego's oldest and largest independent co-ed school. Our founders-Clara Sturges Johnson and William Templeton Johnson-looked to Colonel Francis W. Parker, the "father of progressive education," who believed in educating the whole child, including teaching good citizenship alongside robust academics.

"Francis Parker School not only cultivates students' interest and passion for learning but also sends them into the real world and lets them build themselves up to become better citizens and people. Parker is truly guiding generations of thinkers, builders, and doers who fulfill their aspirations and become the best people they can be." Jack D., Class of 2023

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Nick Allen '17 - Shortstop for the Atlanta Braves (Parker Class of '17, BA USC)
- Eldar Djangirov '05 - Grammy-nominated musician (Parker Class of '05, BM USC)
- Sydney Thomas '06 - Venture Capitalist, founder of Symphonic Capital (Parker Class of '06, BA Duke, MBA Cal Berkeley)
- Julie Newman '10 - Aerospace Engineer, Author (Parker Class of '10, BS CalTech)
- Congressman Patrick Harrigan '05 - Currently serving a term in the US House of Representatives (Parker Class of 2005, BS West Point)
- Cassidy Lichtman '07 - Pro volleyball player, Director of Volleyball at Athletes Unlimited (Parker Class of '07, BA Stanford)
- Dr. Bob Ogle '89 - Head of School, Pacific Ridge School (Parker Class of '89, BA UC Davis, MA, M.Ed, Ed.D Columbia)
- Kirby Brady '02 - Chief Innovation Officer, City of San Diego (Parker Class of '02, BA University of Arizona, MA USC)
- Don Vaughn '04 - Neuroscientist and Entrepreneur (Parker Class of '04, BS Stanford, PhD UCLA)

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Francis Parker School cost?

Francis Parker School's tuition is approximately $40,000 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Francis Parker School?

The acceptance rate of Francis Parker School is 35%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. Francis Parker School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Francis Parker School?

Francis Parker School famous alumni include: Nick Allen '17, Eldar Djangirov '05, Sydney Thomas '06, Julie Newman '10, Congressman Patrick Harrigan '05, Cassidy Lichtman '07, Dr. Bob Ogle '89, Kirby Brady '02 and Don Vaughn '04.

Does Francis Parker School offer a summer program?

Yes, Francis Parker School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Francis Parker School offer?

Francis Parker School offers 21 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, E-sports, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Winter Track. Francis Parker School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Francis Parker School's ranking?

Francis Parker School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Francis Parker School?

The application deadline for Francis Parker School is Feb. 1.

In what neighborhood is Francis Parker School located?

Francis Parker School is located in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 1 other private schools located in Linda Vista.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (3 reviews)

5 7/25/2025

My daughter is going into her third year at Parker's Lower School, and we all love it! The teachers are highly qualified, so she's learning so much, and they genuinely care about each student here, so she also LOVES going to school each day. She gets World Language (she chose Spanish) class daily and theater, music, PE/sports, visual arts, digital design and engineering design multiple times a week. Classes are small, and there's a ton of support staff too, so each student gets a lot of personal attention.

- Posted by Parent - ParkerMom

5 1/25/2018

i've seen this school several times while touring, shadowing and going to the open house and I love It. I hope to go to this school next year.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - Nathan

5 1/19/2012

I'm a student there. And it is AMAZING. The teachers are really fun, but hard... the application process is rigorous and selective, which means that the students there are both nice and smart, as opposed to other schools, where they might be less so... and the campus is BEAUTIFUL.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - david

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Diego, CA is $16,567 for elementary schools and $28,627 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in San Diego, CA is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).