#1 Best Independent Schools in the West
San Francisco Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade334 students4 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in the West
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the West. Top 50 of 503 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in the West
International School of Tucson
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Tucson
Tucson, AZ
A+Overall grade225 students5 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in the West
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Kamuela
Kamuela, HI
A+Overall grade576 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in the West
Phoenix Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Arizona
Paradise Valley, AZ
A+Overall grade730 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in the West
Turning Point School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Culver City
Culver City, CA
A+Overall grade241 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in the West
Viewpoint School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Calabasas, CA
A+Overall grade1,156 students5 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in the West
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Idyllwild, CA
A+Overall grade265 students4 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in the West
Sage Ridge School
Independent school · Grades 3–12
The largest independent school in Reno
Reno, NV
A+Overall grade224 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in the West
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
A+Overall grade233 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in the West
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
#11 Best Independent Schools in the West
Carlthorp School
Independent school · Grades K–6
The smallest classes of any independent school in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA
A+Overall grade280 students5 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in the West
La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in Hawaii
Honolulu, HI
A+Overall gradeAll girls88 students5 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in the West
Town School for Boys
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 75% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys416 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in the West
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
#15 Best Independent Schools in the West
The Country School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Valley Village
Valley Village, CA
A+Overall grade118 students4 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in the West
Pilgrim School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade342 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in the West
Evergreen Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any independent school in Bothell
Bothell, WA
A+Overall grade171 students5 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in the West
Adda Clevenger School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade143 students5 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in the West
Polytechnic School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall grade874 students7 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in the West
Presidio Knolls School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade269 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in the West
Prospect Sierra School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 85% of independent schools in California
El Cerrito, CA
A+Overall grade476 students5 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in the West
Gateway School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
A+Overall grade144 students5 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in the West
Cate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Carpinteria, CA
A+Overall grade306 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in the West
Riverstone International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Boise
Boise, ID
A+Overall grade349 students5 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.