2024 Best Private K-12 Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area
2024 Best Private K-12 Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area
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#31 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Drew School
Drew School, located in the heart of San Francisco, offers a dynamic high school experience that emphasizes experiential education and hands-on learning. Founded over 20 years ago, Drew is renowned for its innovative curriculum that encourages active engagement and real-world problem-solving. The school’s vibrant campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, art studios, and athletic amenities, fostering a well-rounded educational environment. With a strong commitment to equity, social impact, and personal growth, Drew School prepares students to become confident, empathetic leaders ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.

#32 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Lycée Français de San Francisco
Lycée Français de San Francisco (LFSF), with campuses in San Francisco and Marin, offers a premier bilingual education from preschool through 12th grade. Established as a leading French immersion school, LFSF combines rigorous academics with a multicultural environment, preparing students to excel in both the French Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. The school’s vibrant community embraces over 50 nationalities and 30 languages, fostering a global perspective and deep cultural understanding. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to nurturing adaptable, innovative thinkers, LFSF equips students to make meaningful contributions to an ever-changing world.

#33 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Bishop O'Dowd High School
Bishop O’Dowd High School, located in Oakland, CA, offers a holistic educational experience that nurtures students to discover their potential and make a meaningful impact in the world. Established in 1951, O’Dowd is known for its rigorous academic programs, including a wide array of courses in Humanities, STEM, Religious Studies, and the Arts. The school’s vibrant campus features a unique 4-acre Living Lab, which supports environmental education and hands-on learning. With celebrated co-curricular opportunities spanning athletics, visual and performing arts, and student-led clubs, Bishop O’Dowd High School provides a dynamic environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

#34 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, located in the charming city of Alameda, CA, offers a dynamic and rigorous college preparatory education within a faith-filled and diverse community. Established in 1881, the school has a rich history of nurturing students to become confident, open-minded leaders who are ready to live lives of faith, scholarship, and service. The beautiful tree-lined campus provides a warm and nurturing environment, where students engage in a wide array of academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. With a strong emphasis on justice, equity, and community service, Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School prepares students to excel in college and make meaningful contributions to the world.

#35 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto, with campuses in Palo Alto, CA, offers a unique K-12 education based on the Education for Life philosophy. This holistic approach emphasizes intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth, ensuring that each student is seen as a unique individual with their own strengths and interests. The school’s curriculum includes personalized learning plans, project-based learning, and experiential education, fostering a deep love for learning and personal development. With a supportive and joyful community, Living Wisdom School prepares students to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, compassion, and creativity.

#36 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Saint Francis High School
Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, CA, is a distinguished coeducational Catholic institution rooted in the Holy Cross tradition, offering a comprehensive college preparatory education. Known for its rigorous academic programs, Saint Francis provides a diverse curriculum that includes advanced placement courses, honors classes, and unique electives, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The school boasts over 80 clubs and activities, ranging from robotics and speech and debate to music ensembles and community service, fostering a vibrant and engaging student life. With a strong emphasis on faith, leadership, and social justice, Saint Francis High School nurtures well-rounded individuals ready to excel in college and make a positive impact in the world.

#37 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, located in the heart of San Francisco, CA, is a renowned Catholic high school with a rich history dating back to the 1850s. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum that includes honors and Advanced Placement courses, fostering intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. SHC’s vibrant campus life features a wide array of clubs, sports teams, and community service opportunities, ensuring students have a well-rounded and engaging high school experience. With a strong emphasis on faith, service, and leadership, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory prepares students to excel in college and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

#38 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Terra Schools
Terra Schools in San Francisco offer a progressive and immersive educational experience from preschool through 8th grade. Located in the Richmond District, Terra Schools combine early language immersion in Mandarin or Spanish with a nature-based curriculum, ensuring students develop fluency and a deep appreciation for the environment. The school’s innovative Earth Education program includes weekly outdoor excursions, where students learn leadership and social-emotional skills through hands-on exploration and unstructured discovery. With a strong focus on project-based learning and social-emotional development, Terra Schools prepare students to become curious, compassionate, and confident global citizens.

#39 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

BASIS Independent Fremont
BASIS Independent Fremont, situated in the vibrant city of Fremont, CA, offers a world-class education from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Renowned for its rigorous and globally benchmarked curriculum, the school combines advanced STEM offerings with a strong liberal arts foundation, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education. The two beautiful campuses—Lower School on Kearney Street and Upper School on Mission Boulevard—provide state-of-the-art facilities that support a dynamic learning environment. With a commitment to fostering self-reliance, accountability, and a love for learning, BASIS Independent Fremont prepares students to excel in top colleges and universities worldwide.

#40 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Pacific Bay Christian School
Pacific Bay Christian School, located in the scenic coastal town of Pacifica, CA, offers a comprehensive education grounded in Christian values. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, including 17 AP courses and over 60 electives, ensuring students are well-prepared for college and beyond. The 37-acre campus provides a serene and supportive environment, featuring unique outdoor education activities such as surfing, archery, and skateboarding. With a strong focus on spiritual formation and character development, Pacific Bay Christian School nurtures students to become self-reliant, compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact in the world.

#21 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Bentley School
Bentley School, with campuses in Lafayette and Oakland, CA, offers an exceptional K-12 education that emphasizes both academic excellence and personal growth. Celebrating over 100 years of educational leadership, Bentley provides a dynamic curriculum that includes advanced placement courses, college-level seminars, and a variety of extracurricular activities. The school’s beautiful campuses feature state-of-the-art facilities such as an outdoor garden, maker studio, and athletic fields, creating an inspiring environment for students to explore their interests and talents. Bentley’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community ensures that students are well-prepared for college and beyond, making it an outstanding choice for families seeking a comprehensive and enriching education.

#22 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

San Domenico School
San Domenico School, located on a picturesque 515-acre campus in San Anselmo, CA, offers a transformative K-12 education rooted in the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service. As California’s oldest independent school, San Domenico combines rigorous academics with a strong emphasis on personal growth and ethical leadership. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including a world-class music conservatory, an equestrian center, and extensive athletic amenities, providing students with a wide range of opportunities to explore their interests. With a commitment to sustainability and a diverse, inclusive community, San Domenico prepares students to excel in college and beyond, fostering a lifelong love of learning and a deep sense of purpose.

#23 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

French American International School
French American International School, located in the heart of San Francisco, offers a world-class bilingual education from preschool through 12th grade. Combining the best of French and American educational systems, the school provides a rigorous academic program that emphasizes deep understanding and cross-cultural cognition. Students benefit from a vibrant, multilingual community and have the opportunity to pursue both the French Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. With a strong focus on global education, students at French American International School engage in international expeditions and diverse extracurricular activities, preparing them to become thoughtful and compassionate global citizens.

#24 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Pinewood School
Pinewood School, with campuses in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, CA, offers a comprehensive K-12 education that emphasizes academic excellence and personal growth. Founded in 1959, Pinewood combines a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with a strong focus on the arts, athletics, and community service. The school’s beautiful campuses feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a performing arts center, athletic fields, and innovative learning spaces that inspire creativity and collaboration. With a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community, Pinewood School prepares students for success in college and beyond, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.

#25 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

The Bay School of San Francisco
The Bay School of San Francisco, located in the scenic Presidio National Park, offers a cutting-edge college preparatory education for high school students. Founded in 2004, the school emphasizes a rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and ethical leadership. Students benefit from the unique “Immersive” terms, where they engage deeply in a single subject for three weeks, allowing for hands-on, project-based learning. With a strong commitment to community and sustainability, The Bay School prepares its students to excel academically and become compassionate, innovative leaders in a rapidly changing world.

#26 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Silicon Valley International School
Silicon Valley International School (INTL), with campuses in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, offers an exceptional bilingual education from preschool through 12th grade. Founded in 1979, INTL integrates Chinese, French, and German language programs with the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, fostering intellectual abilities and global values. The school’s innovative approach includes inquiry-based learning and a strong emphasis on cultural immersion, preparing students to think critically and solve problems from multiple perspectives. With a nurturing environment that encourages collaboration and personal growth, Silicon Valley International School equips students to excel academically and become compassionate global citizens.

#27 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Bellarmine College Preparatory
Bellarmine College Preparatory, located in the College Park neighborhood of San Jose, CA, is a prestigious all-boys Jesuit high school with a rich history dating back to 1851. Known for its rigorous academic programs, Bellarmine offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced placement courses, unique electives like Marine Chemistry, and nationally recognized extracurriculars such as the award-winning Robotics Team 254: The Cheesy Poofs. The school’s commitment to sustainability is evident through its LEED Gold-certified buildings and eco-friendly initiatives, fostering an environment of environmental stewardship. With a strong emphasis on community service and spiritual growth, Bellarmine prepares young men to become compassionate leaders and responsible global citizens, making it an exceptional choice for families seeking a holistic and impactful education.

#28 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Jewish Community School of the Bay
Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS), located in the heart of San Francisco, offers an exceptional college-preparatory education infused with Jewish values and traditions. Founded in 2001, JCHS is renowned for its rigorous academics, vibrant arts programs, and strong emphasis on community and ethical leadership. The school’s state-of-the-art campus features modern classrooms, science labs, a performing arts theater, and a spacious outdoor courtyard, providing a dynamic environment for both learning and personal growth. With a commitment to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a deep sense of identity, JCHS prepares students to excel in college and beyond, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a holistic and enriching educational experience.

#29 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School, located in the heart of downtown San Jose, CA, is an esteemed all-girls Catholic institution with a rich history dating back to 1851. The school is renowned for its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and social justice. Notre Dame’s vibrant campus features modern facilities, including advanced science labs, a performing arts center, and collaborative learning spaces, providing a dynamic environment for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. With a strong focus on empowering young women to become compassionate leaders and active global citizens, Notre Dame High School offers an inspiring and supportive community for its students.

#30 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Waldorf School of the Peninsula
Waldorf School of the Peninsula, with campuses in Los Altos and Mountain View, CA, offers a holistic K-12 education that nurtures the mind, heart, and hands of each student. Established in 1984, the school employs the renowned Waldorf method, integrating rigorous academics with hands-on learning and artistic expression to foster intellectual and personal growth. The curriculum spans from early childhood through high school, including unique subjects like Eurythmy, biodynamic gardening, and form drawing, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. With a strong emphasis on community, creativity, and ethical development, Waldorf School of the Peninsula prepares students to become thoughtful, innovative, and compassionate leaders in a rapidly changing world.