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

#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.

#41 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Presentation High School
Presentation High School, located in San Jose, CA, is a prestigious all-girls Catholic institution dedicated to providing a transformative college preparatory education. Established in 1962 and run by the Sisters of the Presentation, the school fosters intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social growth within a supportive and inclusive community. Presentation High School offers a diverse range of over 60 clubs, teams, and programs, including a nationally recognized Robotics Club, ensuring students have ample opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. With a strong emphasis on faith, justice, and leadership, Presentation High School prepares young women to excel in college and make meaningful contributions to society.

#42 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Almaden Country Day School
Almaden Country Day School, located in San Jose, CA, offers a joyful and balanced educational experience for students from Pre-K through 8th grade. With a philosophy of discovering the unique gifts in every child, ACDS combines rigorous academics with a wide range of enrichment programs, including art, music, theater, hands-on science, and world languages. The school’s beautiful campus provides a nurturing environment where children can thrive both intellectually and emotionally. Committed to social-emotional learning and character development, Almaden Country Day School prepares students to excel in high school, college, and beyond, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

#43 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

San Francisco High School of the Arts
San Francisco High School of the Arts (HSArts), uniquely situated just steps from Golden Gate Park, offers an unparalleled education for students in grades 6 through 12. As the only private arts school in the Bay Area, HSArts integrates intensive arts training with a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, allowing students to excel both artistically and academically. The school provides specialized programs in dance, music, visual arts, media arts, fashion design, and musical theatre, fostering creativity and discipline. With a strong emphasis on character development and individualized support, San Francisco High School of the Arts prepares students to pursue their passions and succeed in top universities and beyond.

#44 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Moreau Catholic High School
Moreau Catholic High School, located in Hayward, CA, offers a transformative college-preparatory education rooted in the values of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Known for its rigorous academic programs, the school provides a diverse curriculum that includes 22 Honors and 24 Advanced Placement courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including art studios, a dance studio, a theater, and a newly renovated gym, creating an inspiring environment for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. With a strong emphasis on faith, community service, and personal growth, Moreau Catholic High School nurtures students to become responsible and compassionate leaders in a global society.

#45 Best Private School in the SF Bay Area

Maybeck High School
Maybeck High School, located in Berkeley, CA, offers a unique and personalized college-preparatory education for students in grades 9-12. Known for its small class sizes and seminar-style teaching, Maybeck fosters a close-knit community where students are encouraged to explore their intellectual and creative passions. The school’s vibrant curriculum includes a wide range of subjects, from rigorous academics to arts and outdoor education, ensuring a well-rounded experience. With a strong emphasis on individuality and community, Maybeck High School prepares students to excel in college and beyond, cultivating critical thinkers and compassionate leaders.