#1 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Escuela Bilingue Internacional
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in California
Emeryville, CA
A+Overall grade268 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Alameda County, CA. Top 26 of 26 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Park Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 71% of independent schools in California
Oakland, CA
A+Overall grade359 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
The College Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Oakland, CA
A+Overall grade367 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
The Berkeley School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 64% of independent schools in California
Berkeley, CA
A+Overall grade113 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Berkwood Hedge School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 64% of independent schools in California
Berkeley, CA
A+Overall grade128 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Berkeley Rose Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 75% of independent schools in California
Berkeley, CA
A+Overall grade125 students6 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Head Royce School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Oakland
Oakland, CA
A+Overall grade906 students11 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Stratford Schools Dublin
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any independent school in Dublin
Dublin, CA
A+Overall grade132 students5 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
New Horizons School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Newark
Newark, CA
A+Overall grade94 students6 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Aurora School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Oakland, CA
AOverall grade96 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Livermore Valley Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–9
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Livermore, CA
AOverall grade95 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Julia Morgan School for Girls
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Serving families in Oakland since at least 2011
Oakland, CA
A-Overall gradeAll girls122 students10 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Walden Center & School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Berkeley, CA
A-Overall grade67 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Black Pine Circle School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
A-Overall grade319 students10 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Maybeck High School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
92% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Berkeley, CA
B+Overall grade114 students8 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Escuela Bilingue International
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 2 independent schools in Emeryville
Emeryville, CA
B+Overall grade268 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 11 independent schools in Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
B+Overall grade314 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Stratford Pleasanton Middle School
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Growing: enrollment up 111% since 2011–12
Pleasanton, CA
B+Overall grade118 students11 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
The Quarry Lane School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Dublin
Dublin, CA
B+Overall grade975 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Ile Omode
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 59% since 2011–12
Oakland, CA
BOverall grade97 students8 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
BPC Upper School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
BOverall grade319 students10 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Redwood Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 19% since 2011–12
Oakland, CA
B-Overall grade417 students11 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Mission Hills School
Independent school · Grades K–5
One of 2 independent schools in Castro Valley
Castro Valley, CA
B-Overall grade126 students18 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in Alameda County, CA
Basis Independent Fremont
Independent school · Grades K–5
Growing: enrollment up 40% since 2017–18
Fremont, CA
B-Overall grade345 students10 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.