#1 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade334 students4 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
The highest-graded schools of this kind in San Francisco, CA. Top 25 of 25 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Town School for Boys
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 75% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys416 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Adda Clevenger School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade143 students5 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Presidio Knolls School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade269 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Live Oak School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade415 students6 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Golden Bridges School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 92% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade105 students4 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Presidio Hill School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 65% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade210 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Alta Vista School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 67% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade323 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Kittredge School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade60 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Proof School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade113 students6 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco University High School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The largest independent school in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade480 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
The Bay School of San Francisco
Independent school · Grades 9–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade447 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Serving families in San Francisco since at least 2011
San Francisco, CA
AOverall gradeAll girls401 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Brightworks
Independent school · Grades K–12
Growing: enrollment up 262% since 2013–14
San Francisco, CA
AOverall grade116 students7 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 35 independent schools in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
AOverall grade236 students8 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Millennium School of San Francisco
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Growing: enrollment up 108% since 2017–18
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade104 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Stratford School San Francisco
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade115 students8 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
La Scuola International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 40% since 2019–20
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade233 students8 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Chinese American Intl Middle School
Independent school · Grades 6–8
One of 35 independent schools in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade122 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Stratford School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–4
Smaller classes than 71% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade69 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Brightworks
Independent school · Grades K–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade116 students7 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
La Scuola International School-Mission Campus
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade233 students8 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
Chinese American International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 35 independent schools in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
B+Overall grade431 students9 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Schoolhouse
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
San Francisco, CA
BOverall grade115 students8 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.