#1 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
The Girls' Middle School
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Smaller classes than 67% of independent schools in California
Palo Alto, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls198 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Santa Clara County, CA. Top 34 of 34 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Almaden Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 71% of independent schools in California
San Jose, CA
A+Overall grade399 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Tessellations
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 92% of independent schools in California
Cupertino, CA
A+Overall grade189 students4 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Hillbrook School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–9
Growing: enrollment up 17% since 2011–12
Los Gatos, CA
A+Overall grade366 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
French American School of Silicon Valley
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–7
Growing: enrollment up 33% since 2011–12
Sunnyvale, CA
A+Overall grade149 students8 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
School for Independent Learners
Independent school · Grades 8–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Altos, CA
A+Overall grade225 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Castilleja School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Palo Alto, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls424 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Legend College Preparatory
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Cupertino
Cupertino, CA
A+Overall grade96 students2 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Keys Family Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 61% of independent schools in California
Palo Alto, CA
A+Overall grade321 students7 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Silicon Valley International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 677% since 2019–20
Palo Alto, CA
AOverall grade567 students6 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Old Orchard School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Campbell
Campbell, CA
AOverall grade179 students9 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Davinci Academy of Silicon Valley
Independent school · Grades K–6
The smallest classes of any independent school in Campbell
Campbell, CA
AOverall grade75 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Helios School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale, CA
AOverall grade157 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Keys Family Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 60% of independent schools in California
Palo Alto, CA
AOverall grade323 students7 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Fusion Academy Los Gatos
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 83% of independent schools in California
Los Gatos, CA
A-Overall grade82 students3 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Pinewood Private of Los Altos
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Los Altos
Los Altos, CA
A-Overall grade598 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
German Intl School of Silicon Valley
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Mountain View
Mountain View, CA
B+Overall grade470 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Monticello Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 43% since 2011–12
Santa Clara, CA
B+Overall grade353 students10 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Merryhill School
Independent school · Grades K–5
Growing: enrollment up 22% since 2011–12
San Jose, CA
B+Overall grade181 students12 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Action Day Elementary School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–4
Serving families in San Jose since at least 2011
San Jose, CA
B+Overall grade270 students13 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Springbridge International School
Independent school · Grades K–8
One of 6 independent schools in Campbell
Campbell, CA
BOverall grade167 students8 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Harker
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in California
San Jose, CA
BOverall grade1,983 students10 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Khan Lab School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Mountain View
Mountain View, CA
BOverall grade292 students9 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in Santa Clara County, CA
Stratford Middle School
Independent school · Grades 5–8
Growing: enrollment up 72% since 2011–12
San Jose, CA
BOverall grade331 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.