2024 Best Private K-12 Schools
2024 Best Private K-12 Schools
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#66 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Apostles Lutheran School
Apostles Lutheran School, located in San Jose, CA, offers a well-rounded and comprehensive education for students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Known for its strong college preparatory curriculum, the school provides a variety of Advanced Placement courses and enrichment programs that challenge students academically and foster personal growth. The beautiful campus features modern facilities and hosts a popular eight-week summer activity camp, as well as a free one-week Vacation Bible School, creating a vibrant community atmosphere. With a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual development, and community engagement, Apostles Lutheran School prepares students to excel in higher education and beyond.

#67 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Mercy High School
Mercy High School in Burlingame, CA, is a prestigious all-girls Catholic institution set in the historic and picturesque Kohl Mansion. Established over 90 years ago, Mercy is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, as well as a nationally recognized Visual and Performing Arts program. The school’s vibrant community fosters a strong sense of sisterhood and tradition, encouraging students to explore their passions through numerous extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities. With a commitment to faith, values, and holistic development, Mercy High School prepares young women to excel academically and become compassionate leaders in their communities.

#68 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Sterne School
Sterne School, located in the heart of San Francisco, offers a unique and personalized educational experience for students in grades 4-12. Known for its strengths-based program, Sterne tailors its curriculum to meet the individual learning profiles of each student, fostering both academic and personal growth. The school’s college preparatory program emphasizes autonomy and critical thinking, while providing the necessary support to ensure every student thrives. With a vibrant community and a commitment to joyful learning, Sterne School prepares students to excel in higher education and beyond.

#69 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, located in Palo Alto, CA, offers a vibrant and enriching education for students from Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school combines rigorous academics with Jewish values, fostering intellectual curiosity, ethical growth, and a strong sense of community. The curriculum includes innovative project-based learning experiences, such as the “Ir Shalom” project, where students design and build a peaceful Jewish city, integrating lessons in architecture, community, and social services. With a commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals, Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School prepares students to excel academically and become impactful leaders in their communities and beyond.

#70 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Marin Christian Academy
Marin Christian Academy, located in Novato, CA, offers a nurturing and faith-centered education for students from preschool through 12th grade. Established over 40 years ago, the school is dedicated to academic excellence and character development, providing a challenging and diverse curriculum that fosters critical thinking and a love of learning. The beautiful campus features modern facilities and a variety of enrichment activities, including music, art, technology, sports, and student government, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience. With a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and community involvement, Marin Christian Academy prepares students to become compassionate, confident, and successful individuals.

#71 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

San Francisco Christian School
San Francisco Christian School, located in the heart of San Francisco, CA, offers a comprehensive Christian education for students from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1971, the school is dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual growth, providing a nurturing environment where students can thrive. The curriculum includes a wide range of subjects, such as Bible studies, English, math, science, history, physical education, art, and music, ensuring a well-rounded education. With a strong emphasis on community service, character development, and preparing students for college and beyond, San Francisco Christian School is an excellent choice for families seeking a faith-based and academically rigorous education.

#72 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Palo Alto Preparatory School
Palo Alto Preparatory School, located in Mountain View, CA, offers a personalized and supportive educational environment for students in grades 8-12. Founded in 1984, the school is dedicated to serving complex learners, including those who are neurodivergent, school-avoidant, or experiencing social anxiety, ensuring they feel safe and accepted. The curriculum includes unique electives such as rock climbing, scuba diving, and aviation, providing students with immersive learning experiences beyond traditional classroom settings. With a strong emphasis on individual strengths, personal growth, and a close-knit community, Palo Alto Preparatory School prepares students to thrive academically and personally, ready to take on the challenges of higher education and beyond.

#73 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

St. Ignatius College Preparatory School
St. Ignatius College Preparatory School, located in the Sunset District of San Francisco, CA, is a prestigious Catholic institution with a rich history dating back to 1855. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum, the school offers a wide range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The beautiful 11.4-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic fields, and a performing arts center, creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment. With a strong emphasis on Jesuit values of faith, service, and leadership, St. Ignatius College Preparatory nurtures students to become compassionate and responsible leaders in their communities.

#74 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Marin Catholic High School
Marin Catholic High School, located in Kentfield, CA, is a prestigious co-educational Catholic institution founded in 1949. Known for its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, the school offers a wide range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The beautiful 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, knowledge, and service, Marin Catholic High School nurtures students to become compassionate and responsible leaders in their communities.

#75 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Averroes Institute
Averroes Institute, located in Fremont, CA, is a distinguished private Islamic high school dedicated to providing a holistic, college-preparatory education. Founded in 2010, the school integrates rigorous academics with Islamic studies, fostering both intellectual and spiritual growth. The curriculum includes a variety of Advanced Placement courses and opportunities for students to earn college credits through local community colleges, ensuring they are well-prepared for higher education. With a strong emphasis on community, moral development, and personalized learning, Averroes Institute nurtures responsible, compassionate young adults ready to excel in college and beyond.

#16 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Lick-Wilmerding High School
Lick-Wilmerding High School, located in the vibrant Ingleside neighborhood of San Francisco, CA, is a unique private institution with a strong public purpose. The school is renowned for its commitment to developing the head, heart, and hands of its students, blending rigorous academics with hands-on learning and community engagement. Through programs like the Public Purpose Program and the Center for Civic Engagement, students are empowered to address pressing social issues and contribute meaningfully to their communities. With a bustling campus that offers a wide range of clubs, activities, and state-of-the-art facilities, Lick-Wilmerding provides an enriching environment where students can thrive and become compassionate leaders.

#16 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Vistamar School
Vistamar School, located in El Segundo, CA, offers an innovative and dynamic education for students in grades 9-12. Founded with a commitment to rethinking traditional high school education, Vistamar provides a rigorous academic curriculum that includes a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives, fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, art studios, and athletic fields, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. With a strong emphasis on diversity, global consciousness, and community engagement, Vistamar School prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#17 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Khan Lab School
Khan Lab School, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, offers a groundbreaking K-12 educational experience that redefines traditional learning. Founded by Sal Khan, the visionary behind Khan Academy, the school emphasizes mastery-based learning, where students progress at their own pace and demonstrate competence before moving on. With campuses in Palo Alto and Mountain View, Khan Lab School integrates personalized learning plans, mixed-age classrooms, and project-based learning to foster a deep understanding and love for learning. The school’s innovative approach, combined with a strong focus on social-emotional development, prepares students to become self-directed, curious, and collaborative leaders ready to tackle the challenges of the future.

#17 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Marymount High School
Marymount High School, located in the prestigious Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA, is an esteemed independent Catholic all-girls college-preparatory school. Founded in 1923, the school is dedicated to empowering young women through a rigorous academic curriculum, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives that foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. The historic campus, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, provides an enriching environment for both academic and extracurricular pursuits, including robust arts and athletics programs. With a strong emphasis on leadership, community service, and personal growth, Marymount High School prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#18 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Convent & Stuart Hall
Convent & Stuart Hall, located in the heart of San Francisco, offers a unique blend of single-sex and coeducational learning environments rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition. Established in 1887, this historic institution provides a comprehensive K-12 education that emphasizes academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility. The school’s modern facilities include state-of-the-art makerspaces, theaters, and gyms, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning experience. With a strong focus on discovery, justice, and transformation, Convent & Stuart Hall prepares students to become thoughtful, compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact on the world.

#18 Best Private School in Los Angeles

St. Margaret's Episcopal School
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, located in San Juan Capistrano, CA, is a premier independent college-preparatory day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Founded in 1979, the school is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives that foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. The beautiful 25-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, art studios, athletic fields, and a performing arts center, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. With a strong emphasis on leadership, community service, and personal growth, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#19 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton, located on a stunning 63-acre campus in Atherton, CA, offers a holistic education from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1898, this prestigious Catholic institution is dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth of its students through a rigorous academic curriculum and a commitment to service learning. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including multiple athletic fields, performing arts venues, and a working farm and garden, providing a dynamic environment for both academic and extracurricular activities. With a strong emphasis on community, ethical leadership, and global citizenship, Sacred Heart Schools Atherton prepares students to excel in college and beyond, making it an exceptional choice for families seeking a comprehensive and enriching education.

#19 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Campbell Hall
Campbell Hall, located in Studio City, CA, is a prestigious independent Episcopal K-12 day school known for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. Founded in 1944, the school offers a rigorous curriculum that includes a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and innovative programs in arts, sciences, and humanities, fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. The 15-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, art studios, athletic fields, and the Spielberg Family Arts and Education Center, providing an enriching environment for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. With a strong emphasis on community, diversity, and personal growth, Campbell Hall prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders.

#20 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, with campuses in Sunnyvale and San Jose, offers an exceptional K-12 education that is globally recognized for its academic rigor and innovative curriculum. The school emphasizes a liberal arts and sciences education, integrating advanced STEM offerings and a mastery-based learning approach that prepares students to excel on the international stage. Students benefit from a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, unique Capstone projects, and a vibrant selection of over 90 clubs and athletic activities, fostering both intellectual and personal growth. Known for its impressive student outcomes, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley graduates are well-prepared for admission to the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a top-tier education.

#20 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Loyola High School of LA
Loyola High School of Los Angeles, located near downtown LA, is a prestigious all-boys Catholic Jesuit college preparatory institution with a rich history dating back to 1865. Renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, Loyola offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The expansive campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic fields, and the Hannon Theatre, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. With a strong emphasis on faith, scholarship, service, and leadership, Loyola High School inspires young men to become compassionate and responsible leaders in their communities.