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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#51 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Mount Tamalpais School
Mount Tamalpais School, located in the picturesque town of Mill Valley, CA, offers a comprehensive K-8 education that emphasizes academic excellence and personal growth. Founded in 1976, the school is dedicated to fostering a love of learning through a vigorous, creative, and process-driven curriculum. Students benefit from a unique educational approach where they move between specialized subject classrooms, keeping energy levels high and engagement strong. With a strong focus on kindness, integrity, respect, and self-reliance, Mount Tamalpais School prepares students to excel academically while remaining young at heart, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a nurturing and dynamic educational environment.

#52 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Carondelet High School
Carondelet High School, located in Concord, CA, is a prestigious all-girls Catholic institution founded in 1965 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The school is renowned for its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives that prepare students for higher education and beyond. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including the Jean Hofmann Center for Innovation and the Cannon Wellness Center, fostering an environment that supports both academic and personal growth. With a strong emphasis on leadership, community service, and social justice, Carondelet High School empowers young women to become confident, compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact in the world.

#53 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Valley Christian Schools
Valley Christian Schools in Dublin, CA, offers a comprehensive Christian education from preschool through 12th grade, fostering academic excellence and spiritual growth. Known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum, the school provides a wide range of advanced courses and extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and community service. The beautiful campus features state-of-the-art facilities that support a dynamic and engaging learning environment. With a strong emphasis on developing purpose-driven individuals, Valley Christian Schools prepare students to excel academically and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

#54 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

St. Mary's College High School
St. Mary’s College High School, located in Berkeley, CA, is a historic Catholic institution founded in 1863 by Archbishop Joseph Alemany. Known for its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, the school offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and honors classes, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The 13-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic fields, and a performing arts center, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. With a strong emphasis on community, diversity, and service, St. Mary’s College High School nurtures students to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners.

#55 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Salesian College Preparatory
Salesian College Preparatory, located in Richmond, CA, is a renowned Catholic co-educational high school dedicated to academic excellence and holistic development. Established in 1927, the school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and honors classes, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The 21-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic fields, and a performing arts center, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. With a strong emphasis on faith, community service, and leadership, Salesian College Preparatory nurtures students to become compassionate and responsible leaders in their communities.

#56 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Tessellations School
Tessellations School, located in Cupertino, CA, offers a unique and challenging educational experience tailored for gifted learners from preschool through 8th grade. Founded with a focus on experiential and project-based learning, the school nurtures individual strengths and encourages deep exploration of subjects through integrated humanities and science curricula known as “Journeys.” The beautiful campus includes a dedicated Nature Campus, where students engage in outdoor education, fostering a strong connection to the environment. With a commitment to social-emotional learning and a supportive community, Tessellations School empowers students to confidently express themselves and pursue meaningful lives.

#57 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Redwood Christian Schools
Redwood Christian Schools, located in Castro Valley, CA, offers a Christ-centered education for students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Established in 1970, the school is dedicated to equipping students for daily living and eternal life through a rigorous academic curriculum and a variety of enrichment programs. The two campuses—an elementary campus in Castro Valley and a middle/high school campus in San Lorenzo—provide state-of-the-art facilities that support a dynamic and engaging learning environment. With a strong emphasis on Christian values, community service, and personal growth, Redwood Christian Schools prepare students to excel academically and develop into compassionate leaders.

#58 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

California Crosspoint Academy
California Crosspoint Academy, located in Hayward, CA, offers a comprehensive Christian education from preschool through 12th grade. Renowned for its rigorous academic programs, the school has been awarded the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence twice, in 2003 and 2016. The 59,000 sq. ft. campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including new buildings for sports and performing arts, providing a dynamic environment for both academic and extracurricular activities. With a strong emphasis on character development, community service, and preparing students for college and beyond, California Crosspoint Academy is an excellent choice for families seeking a nurturing and challenging educational experience.

#59 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

De La Salle High School
De La Salle High School, located in Concord, CA, is a premier all-boys Catholic institution renowned for its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and strong emphasis on personal development. Founded in 1965, the school is deeply rooted in the Lasallian tradition, focusing on academic excellence, faith formation, and social justice. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, honors classes, and extracurricular activities, including nationally recognized athletic programs. With a commitment to fostering leadership, community service, and respect for the individual, De La Salle High School prepares young men to excel in college and beyond, becoming compassionate and responsible leaders.

#60 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Mid-Peninsula High School
Mid-Peninsula High School, located in Menlo Park, CA, offers a personalized and inclusive college-preparatory education for students in grades 9-12. Established in 1979, the school is known for its flexible academic programs that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring each student can thrive. The vibrant campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs, art studios, and a gym, providing a dynamic environment for both academic and extracurricular activities. With a strong emphasis on community, creativity, and personal growth, Mid-Peninsula High School prepares students to excel in college and beyond, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

#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.