#1 Best Boarding 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
2026 lists
Best Boarding Schools in California
The highest-graded schools of this kind in California. Top 18 of 18 schools.
#2 Best Boarding Schools in California
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
#3 Best Boarding Schools in California
Santa Catalina School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Monterey, CA
A+Overall grade421 students9 students per teacher
#4 Best Boarding Schools in California
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
#5 Best Boarding Schools in California
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
#6 Best Boarding Schools in California
The Webb Schools
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Claremont, CA
A+Overall grade404 students6 students per teacher
#7 Best Boarding Schools in California
Woodside Priory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Portola Valley, CA
A+Overall grade427 students10 students per teacher
#8 Best Boarding Schools in California
The Athenian School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Danville
Danville, CA
A+Overall grade537 students8 students per teacher
#9 Best Boarding Schools in California
Dunn School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The largest independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
A+Overall grade218 students6 students per teacher
#10 Best Boarding Schools in California
Oaks Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 4–12
The only Christian school in Westlake Village
Westlake Village, CA
A+Overall grade1,663 students11 students per teacher
#11 Best Boarding Schools in California
San Domenico School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in San Anselmo
San Anselmo, CA
A+Overall grade679 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Boarding Schools in California
Ojai Valley School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Ojai
Ojai, CA
A+Overall grade305 students6 students per teacher
#13 Best Boarding Schools in California
Sugar Bowl Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Norden, CA
AOverall grade78 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Boarding Schools in California
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Ojai
Ojai, CA
AOverall grade77 students4 students per teacher
#15 Best Boarding Schools in California
Midland School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
AOverall grade79 students4 students per teacher
#16 Best Boarding Schools in California
The Thacher School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Ojai, CA
A-Overall grade252 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Boarding Schools in California
Ef Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Pasadena, CA
BOverall grade219 students8 students per teacher
#18 Best Boarding Schools in California
Army & Navy Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only independent school in Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA
BOverall gradeAll boys258 students8 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.