#1 Best Private High 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 High Schools in California
Private high schools in California with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 307 schools.
#2 Best Private High 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 High 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
#4 Best Private High 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
#5 Best Private High 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
#6 Best Private High 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
#7 Best Private High 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
#8 Best Private High 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
#9 Best Private High 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
#10 Best Private High 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
#11 Best Private High 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
#12 Best Private High Schools in California
Bishop Garcia Diego High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 86% of Catholic schools in California
Santa Barbara, CA
A+Overall grade284 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Private High Schools in California
Carondelet High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Concord
Concord, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls834 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Private High Schools in California
Xavier College Preparatory High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools in California
Palm Desert, CA
A+Overall grade538 students9 students per teacher
#15 Best Private High 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
#16 Best Private High Schools in California
The University of America High School
Baptist school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 97% of Christian schools in California
Temecula, CA
A+Overall grade100 students4 students per teacher
#17 Best Private High Schools in California
St. Augustine High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 72% of Catholic schools in California
San Diego, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys729 students11 students per teacher
#18 Best Private High 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
#19 Best Private High Schools in California
Villanova Preparatory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
The only Catholic school in Ojai
Ojai, CA
A+Overall grade266 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Private High 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
#21 Best Private High Schools in California
Mission College Prep Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 74% of Catholic schools in California
San Luis Obispo, CA
A+Overall grade330 students11 students per teacher
#22 Best Private High 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
#23 Best Private High Schools in California
Rio Lindo Adventist Academy
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades 9–12
The only Christian school in Healdsburg
Healdsburg, CA
A+Overall grade113 students7 students per teacher
#24 Best Private High Schools in California
Polytechnic School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall grade874 students7 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.