#1 Best Private Elementary 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
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Private schools in California with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 1,128 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary 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
#3 Best Private Elementary 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
#4 Best Private Elementary 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
#5 Best Private Elementary 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
#6 Best Private Elementary 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
#7 Best Private Elementary 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
#8 Best Private Elementary 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
#9 Best Private Elementary 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
#10 Best Private Elementary 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
#11 Best Private Elementary 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
#12 Best Private Elementary 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
#13 Best Private Elementary 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
#14 Best Private Elementary 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
#15 Best Private Elementary 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
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. John Fisher School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Rancho Palos Verdes
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
A+Overall grade176 students11 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Stella Maris Academy
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in California
La Jolla, CA
A+Overall grade173 students10 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Joseph Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in California
Placentia, CA
A+Overall grade179 students13 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Joseph Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Alameda
Alameda, CA
A+Overall grade313 students13 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Mary at the Angels Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Ukiah
Ukiah, CA
A+Overall grade152 students12 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Therese Academy
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade302 students8 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
SS Felicitas & Perpetua School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools in California
San Marino, CA
A+Overall grade118 students10 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Notre Dame Academy Elementary School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of Catholic schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade275 students13 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Los Gatos
Los Gatos, CA
A+Overall grade162 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.