#1 Best Independent 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
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
The highest-graded schools of this kind in San Diego County, CA. Top 21 of 21 schools.
#2 Best Independent 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
#3 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Diegueno Country School
Independent school · Grades K–6
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A+Overall grade147 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, 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
#5 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, 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
#6 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Mt. Helix Academy - Tiee
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in La Mesa since at least 2011
La Mesa, CA
AOverall grade186 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
The Gillispie School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 17% since 2011–12
La Jolla, CA
AOverall grade198 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
The Childrens School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
La Jolla, CA
AOverall grade188 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
La Jolla Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in La Jolla
La Jolla, CA
AOverall grade1,110 students9 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
San Diego French American School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
La Jolla, CA
AOverall grade256 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Grauer School the
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Encinitas
Encinitas, CA
AOverall grade160 students5 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
High Bluff Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A-Overall grade60 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Francis Parker School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Diego, CA
BOverall grade1,276 students11 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
The Rhoades School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Encinitas
Encinitas, CA
BOverall grade302 students10 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Francis W Parker School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in San Diego
San Diego, CA
BOverall grade1,280 students11 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Army & Navy Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only independent school in Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA
BOverall gradeAll boys258 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Sanderling Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
The only independent school in Vista
Vista, CA
BOverall grade116 students13 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Le Lycee Francais De San Diego
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 140% since 2011–12
San Diego, CA
BOverall grade149 students10 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Childrens Creative/Performing Arts Acad San Diego
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One school from pre-K through 12th grade
San Diego, CA
BOverall grade186 students11 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Encinitas Country Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 114% since 2019–20
Encinitas, CA
BOverall grade289 students9 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in San Diego County, CA
Warren-Walker Middle School
Independent school · Grades K–8
One of 14 independent schools in San Diego
San Diego, CA
B-Overall grade222 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.