Francis W Parker Lower School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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About the School

At Francis Parker School, our mission is to provide a superior college preparatory education in a diverse, family-oriented environment that meets the academic, social, creative, emotional, and physical needs of the individual student.
Founded in 1912, and now with 1,200 students, Francis Parker School is San Diego's oldest and largest independent, non-denominational, coeducational day school.
Through a system of instruction in the academics, athletics, and arts that is grounded in excellence, Parker students are prepared to succeed at four-year colleges and universities appropriate to their individual goals.
This level of educational success is based on a foundation of shared values the importance of family; the uniqueness of each individual child; the ethical treatment of others and the world around us; a shared passion for learning between inspired teachers and motivated students.
Our mission is to provide a superior college-preparatory education in a diverse, family-oriented environment that meets the academic, social, creative, emotional and physical needs of the individual student.
Francis Parker School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 362 students
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

School Rankings

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

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-6

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Francis W Parker Lower School
Pre-K	48
Kind	62
1	65
2	57
3	62
4	68

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Year Founded

1912

School Motto

Students First

Student Body

Total Students

362 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

22 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

16 students

Number of AP Courses

60 courses

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Tuition Notes

Junior Kindergarten:$27,600 Senior Kindergarten to Grade 5:$34,350 Grades 6 to 8:$41,750 Grades 9 to 12:$44,300

% on Financial Aid

25%

Application URL

Online Application

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School Notes

At Francis Parker School, our mission is to provide a superior college preparatory education in a diverse, family-oriented environment that meets the academic, social, creative, emotional, and physical needs of the individual student. Founded in 1912, and now with 1,200 students, Francis Parker School is San Diego's oldest and largest independent, non-denominational, coeducational day school. Through a system of instruction in the academics, athletics, and arts that is grounded in excellence, Parker students are prepared to succeed at four-year colleges and universities appropriate to their individual goals. This level of educational success is based on a foundation of shared values the importance of family; the uniqueness of each individual child; the ethical treatment of others and the world around us; a shared passion for learning between inspired teachers and motivated students. Our mission is to provide a superior college-preparatory education in a diverse, family-oriented environment that meets the academic, social, creative, emotional and physical needs of the individual student. Francis Parker School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Francis W Parker Lower School's ranking?

Francis W Parker Lower School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Francis W Parker Lower School?

The application deadline for Francis W Parker Lower School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

In what neighborhood is Francis W Parker Lower School located?

Francis W Parker Lower School is located in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 1 other private schools located in Mission Hills.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Diego, CA is $15,004 for elementary schools and $27,262 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in San Diego, CA is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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Francis W Parker Lower School

About the School

School Rankings

School Facts

Distribution of Students By Grade

Student Body

Academic Profile

Tuition & Financial Aid

School Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

School Reviews

More Articles