#1 Best Private Schools in California
St. Francis High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 95% of Catholic schools in California
Mountain View, CA
A+Overall grade1,777 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in California
Private schools in California with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 1,351 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in California
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in La Canada Flintridge
La Canada Flintridge, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls382 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in California
School of the Madeleine
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 95% of Catholic schools in California
Berkeley, CA
A+Overall grade255 students9 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in California
Mayfield Senior School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls311 students8 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in California
The Bishop's School
Episcopal school · Grades 6–12
The only Christian school in La Jolla
La Jolla, CA
A+Overall grade800 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in California
Notre Dame Academy Girls High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 76% of Catholic schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls237 students11 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in California
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
#8 Best Private Schools in California
St. Agnes Elementary School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools in California
Concord, CA
A+Overall grade261 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in California
Our Lady of Grace Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Castro Valley
Castro Valley, CA
A+Overall grade166 students10 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in California
Holy Spirit School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 96% of Catholic schools in California
Fremont, CA
A+Overall grade266 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in California
Marymount High School Los Angeles
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 83% of Catholic schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls344 students9 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in California
St. Catherine's Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in California
Anaheim, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys140 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in California
Canyon Heights Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 96% of Catholic schools in California
Campbell, CA
A+Overall grade146 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in California
St. Jeanne De Lestonnac School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 99% of Catholic schools in California
Tustin, CA
A+Overall grade298 students7 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in California
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Christian school in San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
A+Overall grade290 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in California
Mission Dolores Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade173 students11 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in California
St. Vincent De Paul High School
Parish school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in California
Petaluma, CA
A+Overall grade169 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in California
Assumption of the BVM Elementary School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 91% of Catholic schools in California
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall grade131 students10 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in California
St. Mark Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Venice
Venice, CA
A+Overall grade177 students10 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in California
Holy Names High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 92% of Catholic schools in California
Oakland, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls121 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in California
St. Cecilia School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in California
Tustin, CA
A+Overall grade211 students11 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in California
Jserra Catholic High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 94% of Catholic schools in California
San Juan Capistrano, CA
A+Overall grade1,317 students6 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in California
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
#24 Best Private Schools in California
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
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.