2024 Best Private K-12 Schools
2024 Best Private K-12 Schools
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#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.

#21 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Oaks Christian School
Oaks Christian School, located in Westlake Village, CA, is a premier co-educational college-preparatory institution serving grades 4-12. Established in 2000, the school is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique programs in arts, engineering, and global leadership. The 25-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic fields, and the Bedrosian Pavilion for performing arts, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. With a strong emphasis on faith, character development, and community service, Oaks Christian School prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders.

#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.

#22 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, located in La Cañada Flintridge, CA, is a prestigious Catholic all-girls day and boarding high school founded in 1931 by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. Nestled on a stunning 41-acre campus near the San Gabriel Mountains, the school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with 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, a gymnasium, an aerobics room, and a multipurpose athletic field, providing an enriching environment for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. With a strong emphasis on faith, community service, and personal growth, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy prepares young women to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#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.

#23 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Brentwood School
Brentwood School, located in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, CA, is a top-tier independent co-educational K-12 day school known for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. The school offers a rigorous curriculum that includes a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, innovative class projects, and independent studies through the Brentwood Center for Innovation and Learning (BCIL). The beautiful dual-campus setting features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces, providing an enriching environment for both academic and extracurricular activities. With a strong emphasis on community, creativity, and leadership, Brentwood School prepares students to excel in higher education and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#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.

#24 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Elite Open School
Elite Open School, located in Rowland Heights, CA, offers a cutting-edge blended learning experience for students in grades K-12. Established in 2016, the school is known for its personalized approach to education, providing a diverse range of UC-approved college prep, honors, Advanced Placement, and dual credit courses. The innovative curriculum leverages technology, including AI-augmented math and science supplements, to ensure students achieve mastery in their subjects. With a strong emphasis on flexibility, academic rigor, and individual passions, Elite Open School prepares students for college and beyond, fostering a love for lifelong learning.

#25 Best Private School in Los Angeles

Pacific Academy - Irvine
Pacific Academy, located in Irvine, CA, offers an innovative and personalized K-12 education that emphasizes applied and project-based learning. Known for its rigorous academic programs, the school provides a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and unique electives, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The beautiful campus features state-of-the-art facilities and a robust Chinese Immersion program, fostering a dynamic and multicultural learning environment. With a strong focus on character development, community service, and individual passions, Pacific Academy prepares students to excel academically and become compassionate, responsible leaders in their communities.

#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.

#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.