#1 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Stella Maris Academy
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in California
La Jolla, CA
A+Overall grade173 students10 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Private schools in the Diocese of San Diego with the highest overall grades. Top 40 of 40 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Therese Academy
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade302 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Didacus School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade145 students12 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Augustine High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 72% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys729 students11 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
The Nativity School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A+Overall grade178 students10 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
All Hallows Academy
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in California
La Jolla, CA
A+Overall grade184 students12 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Patrick School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade166 students14 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Mary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Escondido
Escondido, CA
A+Overall grade139 students13 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Rita's School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 68% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade168 students14 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Notre Dame Academy
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 79% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade221 students12 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Pius X School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA
A+Overall grade250 students14 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Vista
Vista, CA
A+Overall grade199 students15 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Kieran Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of Catholic schools in California
El Cajon, CA
A+Overall grade127 students13 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Holy Trinity Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in El Cajon
El Cajon, CA
A+Overall grade141 students12 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Vincent De Paul Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 61% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade217 students15 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Martin of Tours Academy
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in La Mesa
La Mesa, CA
A+Overall grade194 students16 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in San Diego since at least 2011
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade229 students17 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Mater Dei Catholic H.S.
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Chula Vista, CA
A+Overall grade1,146 students17 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Diego, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls730 students18 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Michael's School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Poway
Poway, CA
A+Overall grade558 students18 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Nativity Prep Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–8
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
AOverall grade70 students12 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Santa Sophia Academy
Parish school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Spring Valley
Spring Valley, CA
AOverall grade218 students18 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
Our Ladys School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 62% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
AOverall grade183 students15 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in the Diocese of San Diego
St. Columba School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 23% since 2011–12
San Diego, CA
A-Overall grade211 students19 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.