#1 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Acaciawood Preparatory Academy
Independent school · Grades 1–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Anaheim
Anaheim, CA
A+Overall grade127 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Orange County, CA. Top 23 of 23 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Carden Conservatory
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 73% since 2011–12
Huntington Beach, CA
A+Overall grade83 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
International School of Orange County
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
The only independent school in Orange
Orange, CA
AOverall grade105 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Renascence School International
Independent school · Grades K–11
Growing: enrollment up 68% since 2015–16
Costa Mesa, CA
AOverall grade96 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Fusion Academy-Huntington Beach
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CA
AOverall grade85 students3 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Frontiers Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 133% since 2017–18
Anaheim, CA
AOverall grade100 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
The Pegasus School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CA
AOverall grade559 students10 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Pacific Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 73% of independent schools in California
Costa Mesa, CA
A-Overall grade78 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Harbor Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Corona Del Mar since at least 2011
Corona Del Mar, CA
B+Overall grade414 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Fairmont San Juan Capistrano
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA
B+Overall grade571 students10 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Fairmont Private School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in California
Anaheim, CA
B+Overall grade2,391 students11 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Pacific Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Irvine, CA
B+Overall grade223 students9 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
The Waldorf School of Orange County
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, CA
BOverall grade283 students11 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Heritage Oak Private Education
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda, CA
BOverall grade553 students14 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
The Open School
Independent school · Grades 1–12
One of 3 independent schools in Santa Ana
Santa Ana, CA
BOverall grade70 students14 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School
Independent school · Grades K–6
The smallest classes of any independent school in Santa Ana
Santa Ana, CA
BOverall grade94 students9 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Franklin Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Irvine, CA
BOverall grade88 students7 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Fairmont Private School, North Tustin Campus
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in North Tustin since at least 2011
North Tustin, CA
BOverall grade304 students12 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 4 independent schools in Anaheim
Anaheim, CA
B-Overall grade530 students17 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Anneliese School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
The largest independent school in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, CA
B-Overall grade263 students11 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Anneliese's Schools
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Laguna Beach since at least 2011
Laguna Beach, CA
B-Overall grade262 students20 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Crosby Elementary
Independent school · Grades K–6
The only independent school in Garden Grove
Garden Grove, CA
B-Overall grade315 students20 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Orange County, CA
Isea International
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in Newport Beach
Newport Beach, CA
B-Overall grade7,818 students
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.