#25 Best Private 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
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in California
Private schools in California with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 1,351 schools.
#26 Best Private 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
#27 Best Private 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
#28 Best Private 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
#29 Best Private 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
#30 Best Private 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
#31 Best Private 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
#32 Best Private 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
#33 Best Private 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
#34 Best Private 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
#35 Best Private 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
#36 Best Private 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
#37 Best Private 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
#38 Best Private 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
#39 Best Private 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
#40 Best Private 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
#41 Best Private 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
#42 Best Private 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
#43 Best Private 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
#44 Best Private 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
#45 Best Private 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
#46 Best Private 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
#47 Best Private 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
#48 Best Private 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
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.