#25 Best Private High Schools in California
Jesuit High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-boys school in Carmichael
Carmichael, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys917 students11 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.
#26 Best Private High 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
#27 Best Private High Schools in California
Rolling Hills Preparatory
Independent school · Grades 3–12
The only independent school in San Pedro
San Pedro, CA
A+Overall grade167 students6 students per teacher
#28 Best Private High Schools in California
Notre Dame High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Salinas
Salinas, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls130 students10 students per teacher
#29 Best Private High Schools in California
Le Lycee Francais De Los Angeles
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade651 students6 students per teacher
#30 Best Private High Schools in California
La Salle College Preparatory
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
A+Overall grade669 students13 students per teacher
#31 Best Private High Schools in California
Harvard-Westlake
Episcopal school · Grades 7–12
One of the 3 largest Christian schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade1,617 students8 students per teacher
#32 Best Private High Schools in California
Pacifica Christian High School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 9–12
The largest Christian school in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA
A+Overall grade255 students10 students per teacher
#33 Best Private High Schools in California
Moreau Catholic High School
Parish school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Hayward
Hayward, CA
A+Overall grade793 students13 students per teacher
#34 Best Private High Schools in California
St. John Bosco
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-boys school in Bellflower
Bellflower, CA
A+Overall gradeAll boys800 students12 students per teacher
#35 Best Private High Schools in California
Marlborough School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls559 students7 students per teacher
#36 Best Private High Schools in California
Al Argam Islamic School & College Preparatory
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest private schools in California
Sacramento, CA
A+Overall grade504 students13 students per teacher
#37 Best Private High Schools in California
Sacramento Country Day School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
A+Overall grade562 students8 students per teacher
#38 Best Private High Schools in California
Bridges Academy
Independent school · Grades 4–12
The only independent school in Studio City
Studio City, CA
A+Overall grade159 students4 students per teacher
#39 Best Private High Schools in California
St. Mary's Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Inglewood
Inglewood, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls233 students13 students per teacher
#40 Best Private High 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
#41 Best Private High Schools in California
Fusion Academy SB: South Bay
Alternative school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach, CA
A+Overall grade125 students6 students per teacher
#42 Best Private High Schools in California
New Covnant Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade158 students8 students per teacher
#43 Best Private High Schools in California
The School of Los Angeles
Episcopal school · Grades 6–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade176 students7 students per teacher
#44 Best Private High Schools in California
South Hills Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any Christian school in West Covina
West Covina, CA
A+Overall grade223 students6 students per teacher
#45 Best Private High Schools in California
Windward School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Los Angeles, CA
A+Overall grade625 students6 students per teacher
#46 Best Private High Schools in California
Cardinal Newman High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, CA
A+Overall grade550 students11 students per teacher
#47 Best Private High Schools in California
St. Francis Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
A+Overall gradeAll girls764 students14 students per teacher
#48 Best Private High Schools in California
Orangewood Academy
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades K–12
The largest Christian school in Garden Grove
Garden Grove, CA
A+Overall grade207 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.