#1 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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 Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
Private schools in San Diego County, CA with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 81 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#3 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#4 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#5 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#6 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#7 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
St. Mary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Escondido
Escondido, CA
A+Overall grade139 students13 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#9 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#10 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#11 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#12 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#13 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
Pacific Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Encinitas, CA
A+Overall grade113 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
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
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
Horizon Prep
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Christian school in Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A+Overall grade308 students8 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
North County Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 97% of Christian schools in California
Bonsall, CA
A+Overall grade129 students2 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
Christ Church Day School
Episcopal school · Grades K–6
Smaller classes than 80% of Christian schools in California
Coronado, CA
A+Overall grade92 students7 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#22 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
#23 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
Escondido Adventist Academy
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Escondido, CA
A+Overall grade143 students11 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Elementary Schools in San Diego County, 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
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.