#1 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Private schools in San Diego, CA with the highest overall grades. Top 38 of 38 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#3 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#4 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#5 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#6 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#7 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
The Rock Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade466 students11 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#9 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Warren-Walker School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade143 students7 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Reformation Lutheran School
Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod) school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of Christian schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade67 students9 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#12 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Soille San Diego Hebrew Bay School
Jewish day school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest Jewish school in San Diego
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade171 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Del Mar Pines School
Independent school · Grades K–6
Serving families in San Diego since at least 2011
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade155 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#15 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
The Waldorf School of San Diego
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade251 students8 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#17 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Maranatha Christian Schools
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Christian school in San Diego
San Diego, CA
AOverall grade855 students13 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Bright Horizon Academy
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 89% since 2011–12
San Diego, CA
AOverall grade322 students11 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#20 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
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
#21 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Mission Bay Montessori Academy
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
The largest Montessori school in San Diego
San Diego, CA
A-Overall grade129 students4 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Cristo Rey San Diego High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A-Overall grade180 students10 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
Nazareth School San Diego
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in San Diego since at least 2011
San Diego, CA
A-Overall grade259 students17 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in San Diego, CA
St. Charles Borromeo Academy
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
One of 18 Catholic schools in San Diego
San Diego, CA
B+Overall grade213 students15 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.