#25 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
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
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.
#26 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Christopher School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in California
San Jose, CA
A+Overall grade432 students10 students per teacher
#27 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Didacus School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade145 students12 students per teacher
#28 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Patrick School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 82% of Catholic schools in California
Rodeo, CA
A+Overall grade357 students12 students per teacher
#29 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 79% of Catholic schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade271 students12 students per teacher
#30 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. John the Evangelist School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 83% of Catholic schools in California
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade152 students12 students per teacher
#31 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Francis De Sales School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 94% of Catholic schools in California
Riverside, CA
A+Overall grade121 students9 students per teacher
#32 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. John Vianney School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cordova, CA
A+Overall grade170 students14 students per teacher
#33 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Barnabas Parish School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
A+Overall grade276 students11 students per teacher
#34 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Cyril of Jerusalem School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Encino
Encino, CA
A+Overall grade168 students13 students per teacher
#35 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
All Saints' Episcopal Day School
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Christian school in Carmel
Carmel, CA
A+Overall grade217 students6 students per teacher
#36 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Alta Loma Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of Christian schools in California
Alta Loma, CA
A+Overall grade224 students6 students per teacher
#37 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Nativity Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools in California
Menlo Park, CA
A+Overall grade231 students12 students per teacher
#38 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Theresa School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 82% of Catholic schools in California
Oakland, CA
A+Overall grade197 students12 students per teacher
#39 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
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
#40 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Holy Cross School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
A+Overall grade179 students14 students per teacher
#41 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Mayfield Junior School
Independent Catholic school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 87% of Catholic schools in California
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall grade534 students11 students per teacher
#42 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Our Lady of Grace School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 71% of Catholic schools in California
Encino, CA
A+Overall grade280 students14 students per teacher
#43 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Mission Basilica School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 87% of Catholic schools in California
San Juan Capistrano, CA
A+Overall grade228 students11 students per teacher
#44 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
The Nativity School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A+Overall grade178 students10 students per teacher
#45 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, CA
A+Overall grade105 students10 students per teacher
#46 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
Valley Christian Schools
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Christian school in Dublin
Dublin, CA
A+Overall grade400 students10 students per teacher
#47 Best Private Elementary 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
#48 Best Private Elementary Schools in California
St. Martin of Tours Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 95% of Catholic schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade148 students9 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.