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2020 Best High Schools in CaliforniaAbout this List

Explore the best high schools in your area based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.  Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

51 – 75 of 3,293
Best Schools
3,293 results

  1. Bellarmine College Preparatory

    • Private School
    • San Jose, CA
    • 9-12
    • 183 reviews
    #46 Best Private High Schools in California

    Alum: Attending Bellarmine was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It has excellent teachers, fantastic athletics, a wonderful campus--all the things that you'd expect of a school of its caliber. But what makes Bellarmine really special--what makes it truly unique from other high schools--is the profoundly deep and enduring sense of brotherhood you develop while attending. I know for a fact that because I went to Bellarmine, I've learned incredibly valuable lessons from some of the best educators the country has to offer, I've taken part in some of the most exhilarating sports experiences I'll ever have, and I've been prepared for college at a level that's significantly beyond that of my current classmates. But more than that, I know I've made lifelong friends with whom I can spend time with and enjoy for decades to come. As always, Go Bells.
    Read 183 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,643 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Fairmont Preparatory Academy

    • Private School
    • Anaheim, CA
    • 9-12
    • 52 reviews
    #47 Best Private High Schools in California

    Parent: Fairmont Preparatory Academy is a wonderful school with great teachers, faculty and staff! The students and families are wonderful as well! I am grateful and truly appreciate the school's diversity, college readiness, safety, resources, and sincere love and support of all the teachers and faculty.

    This is truly a wonderful school and my family is blessed to be apart it. Thank you Fairmont Preparatory Academy, for providing many positive and memorable opportunities and experiences, but most importantly for making a difference in our children's lives!
    Read 52 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 577 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Bentley School

    • Private School
    • Oakland, CA
    • K-12
    • 89 reviews
    #48 Best Private High Schools in California

    Senior: Bentley is a fantastic school with a highly involved student community. The school offers a plethora of student led clubs and organizations. Additionally, the school's extracurricular programs such as engineering and theatre are very well endowed. Teachers at the school are devoted to helping their students prepare for college and treat them like adults. The new cafeteria is fantastic too!
    Read 89 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 696 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Sacramento Country Day School

    • Private School
    • Sacramento, CA
    • PK, K-12
    • 13 reviews
    #49 Best Private High Schools in California

    Parent: The 6 years we have been at SCDS have been everything that we could want for our child’s early academic learning. The teachers, curriculum and community are
    The shining stars of SCDS. We look forward to the upcoming years in middle school.
    Read 13 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 471 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Kirby School

    • Private School
    • Santa Cruz, CA
    • 6-12
    • 37 reviews
    #50 Best Private High Schools in California

    Parent: My child is in their 3rd year at Kirby, and we are positive that in Kirby, we found the best school environment for our family. We appreciate the atmosphere of inclusivity and kindness, as well as the academically-enriching curriculum. The small class sizes are wonderfully conducive to participation and active learning. The school day has a later start time than most schools, which is a model that has been suggested of all middle and high schools. The lunches are delicious and healthy, and the students actually enjoy the meals. Tuition is economically challenging, but Kirby does offer financial aid and assistance, so please don't let that stop you from exploring this amazing school as an option for your own child.
    Read 37 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 273 Students
    • 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. California Academy of Mathematics & Science

    • Long Beach Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 425 reviews
    #6 Best Public High Schools in California

    Senior: I think CAMS provides a lot of opportunities for their students to grow in both academics and team-work skills. Be prepared to be really busy while going to this school, and if you're not, you're doing something wrong! It's essential to be involved in something here, whether it be in our robotics teams or other science programs. CAMS is also very specialized! Expect to take a lot of extra math and science classes, all of which will be more advanced compared to other curriculum in the district. It is also very important that you understand how you learn best, and you'll have to teach yourself a lot.
    Read 425 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 683 Students
    • 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. The Episcopal School of Los Angeles

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 6-12
    • 18 reviews
    #51 Best Private High Schools in California

    Senior: I love ESLA! I’ve gone since 6th grade and I’m so happy I stayed all through high school. My teachers are amazing, the food is restaurant quality, the country feels like family, and the college counciling here is unlike any other school! ESLA not only provides a fantastic education but really shapes its students into good people.
    Read 18 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 150 Students
    • 3:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School

    • Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 606 reviews
    #7 Best Public High Schools in California

    Freshman: Great school! I currently go here and really enjoy it. The teachers are very enthusiastic and kind, and the students are nice too. One thing I would add is that its a huge school with very academic and determined students, so if you’re not an all A’s student who’s only activities are studying, then you might not love it so much. Homework is, of course, a mandatory part of your grade. After around 8 hours of school, depending on the classes you choose to take, you’ll definitely have at least 3 hours of homework per day. It’s a lot. Also, its hard to stick out to potential colleges in a school this huge and academic. Otherwise, its a great school with an awesome spirit. I would definitely recommend going to PVPHS.
    Read 606 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,426 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. San Marino High School

    • San Marino Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 253 reviews
    #8 Best Public High Schools in California

    Senior: San Marino High School is a very diverse school, both academic and athletics are very outstanding. Our school offers a lot of courses, including pre-college courses and many electives, this makes our weekdays very rich and never boring and exhausted. In addition to academics, the school sports and clubs are also very attractive. I have participated in several clubs, such as Math Team, Girls Who Code and some volunteer organizations. These clubs can not only greatly help my college application, but also make me able to develop my extracurricular interests. For sports, we have football, rugby, water polo, basketball, tennis, swimming, track, and golf, etc. They are all fantanstic!
    Our campus life is very dynamic and full of enthusiasm. I hope that our school can continue to flourish forever. The only expectation is that teachers in the same subject can try to unify the standards and processes as much as possible, thus avoiding the students' grades greatly depend on different teachers.
    Read 253 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,119 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

    • Private School
    • Atherton, CA
    • PK, K-12
    • 95 reviews
    #52 Best Private High Schools in California

    Alum: I attended Sacred Heart Schools from 2016-2019. It was a great experience, and I enjoyed every second of it. There are tons of extracurriculars if you're a sports person, and the robotics team is pretty good this year. If you like dance, theater, art, science, english, social sciences, robotics, sports, community service, or religion, Sacred Heart is the school for you. The science program is relatively amazing, and social sciences department is totally rocking it. If you like religion, you'll love the religious studies department. The English department is also doing their job really well. Pretty much all the juniors here take AP English Language and Composition, and Sacred Heart definitely prepares everyone for college really well. The counselors here are actually really good overall, and the community is generally very supportive. There's definitely room for growth at Sacred Heart (like it would be nice to offer more math classes), but overall, I totally love this school.
    Read 95 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,180 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Stevenson School

    • Private School
    • Pebble Beach, CA
    • PK, 9-12
    • 78 reviews
    #53 Best Private High Schools in California

    Alum: I loved Stevenson (alum, Class of '15), so this comment should be taken as a critique for improvement rather than a summation of my experience (if it wasn't stellar, I wouldn't mention it).

    Stevenson absolutely should (and needs to) do more for increasing its diversity and financial aid. At my time, only <30% of students were on some aid of any sort, and the result is a relatively homogeneous student body. The faculty were tremendously supportive of me (low-income) but the administration wasn't quite there. While I do recognize it's a tricky business being supportive of low-income/otherwise-marginalized students while also making ends meet, it's tremendously important. Stevenson is absolutely capable of making these changes and has an obligation to (beyond "Diversity Week" and guest speakers). If you're reading this and you're involved with Stevenson, it should be your priority to support these goals too!
    Read 78 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 505 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Loyola High School

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 9-12
    • 182 reviews
    #54 Best Private High Schools in California

    Alum: I graduated around 5 years ago, and I'm currently pursuing nursing. I enjoyed my time at Loyola, and I'm proud to call myself an alumnus. The brotherhood that is curated and encouraged really brings an increased sense of unity, the teachers are very passionate about their careers, the staff ensure students are safe and well cared for, and the campus is updated with new technology. There are plenty of clubs and activities for every student, from campus ministry to sports, writing clubs to Model UN, Speech and debate to theater. There is a place for everyone at Loyola. School dances and social gatherings are very enjoyable; the first dance of the year is always off the chains! Proud to be a Loyola grad! #C4L
    Read 182 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,247 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Los Altos High School

    • Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 285 reviews
    #9 Best Public High Schools in California

    Alum: The teachers at LAHS are great! My main complaint is that there is so much pressure. Academics definitely come first. Also, many of the students are very separated into distinct social groups. Sports teams are a good way to meet people and you go to a lot of competitions but it is not too intense overall. The campus itself is nice and the classroom are good as well. Food in the cafeteria is definitely not great but most students bring their own food or go off campus to eat.
    Read 285 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,088 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Vistamar School

    • Private School
    • El Segundo, CA
    • 9-12
    • 100 reviews
    #55 Best Private High Schools in California

    Parent: Vistamar is a phenomenal school in the South Bay. The size of the school, high teacher student ratio and educational philosophy all contribute to the unique culture of Vistamar School. Because it is small, with approximately 300 students, Vistamar allows students the opportunity to participate in music, arts, sports teams and other activities that they may not be able to join at a larger institution. Our daughter had the opportunity to play volleyball for the first time in her life as a freshman. She is finishing her senior year as a member of the Varsity team that made it to CIF finals and states.
    In addition, the high (1:7) teacher to student ratio encourages all students to participate in all class discussions, no one can hide behind their books! Finally, because Vistamar pulls from all over the Los Angeles area, the student body is a true reflection of the world at large.
    Read 100 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 272 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Notre Dame High School

    • Private School
    • San Jose, CA
    • 9-12
    • 223 reviews
    #56 Best Private High Schools in California

    Junior: Notre Dame High School in Downtown San Jose has given me opportunities to grow, learn more about my identity, and establish good ethics and habits. As someone who used to procrastinate every single assignment, I feel confident in saying that ND has taught me how to better my study habits and balance school-work with my self-care. I would recommend any 7th or 8th grader looking for a competitive and challenging environment where they'll feel welcome and safe.
    Read 223 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 650 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Orange County School of the Arts

    • Santa Ana Unified School District, CA
    • 7-12
    • 494 reviews
    #10 Best Public High Schools in California

    Senior: My decision going to OCSA ended up being the best decision of my life. I am in the classical voice conservatory and have gotten so many opportunities here. I have won many vocal competitions, gotten to do master classes with famous opera stars like Suzanna Guzman, and have strengthened my music theory skills. I also get to work with kids that have the same passion and dedication that I do. This school has many different people that have different beliefs and cultures. OCSA has always dedicated a week or a day to each of these things. We have gay pride day every year, we have culture week, and even halloween is a blast with everyone in their over the top costumes! I have been lucky enough to have the best of both worlds, opera and musical theatre. I am also taking a dance class as part of my academic school day at OCSA. The dance teachers are phenomenal. some of them have even made it in the professional world. My dance training has definitely improved since I have been at OCSA.
    Read 494 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,165 Students
    • 29:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. St. Ignatius College Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 9-12
    • 321 reviews
    #57 Best Private High Schools in California

    Alum: Saint Ignatius is a very good school, and the teachers are the best part of it. They are supportive, encouraging, and caring. However, the school does need to work on their clique problem and mental health issues because many of the students have severe depression and anxiety from the pressure to "fit in" and perform well academically. There are many creative and enjoyable clubs to join as well that are sources of community and belonging for many students. The theatre and fine arts department is absolutely amazing, and have exceptional performances. The sports and athletic teams are generally positive and compete at a high level. The school is in a safe area of San Francisco and accessible by Muni which is very convenient for the "city kids", but it isn't too much of a hassle to commute from Marin or the Peninsula either.
    Read 321 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,476 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Torrey Pines High School

    • San Dieguito Union High School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 426 reviews
    #11 Best Public High Schools in California

    Senior: Torrey Pines high is a school that offers many different opportunities. They have a countless amount of sports teams and many different clubs. It is an inclusive environment for everyone. The staff help students when they need it and prepare students for the years ahead in college. The Resources available are excellent. They sports equipment and facilities available are also excellent. We recently opened our new Performing Arts centre which has an extremely large main stage and proscenium, with a black box right next to it for smaller shows. The environment at sports games is extremely fun to be in. I must say being involved in a sport is extremely fun and inclusive. The faculty are good people who want the best for their students. Overall my experience at Torrey Pines has been an enjoyable one.
    Read 426 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,573 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Santa Catalina School

    • Private School
    • Monterey, CA
    • 9-12
    • 77 reviews
    #58 Best Private High Schools in California

    Senior: It's an amazing school with a beautiful campus. The academics can feel like a lot, but there's tons of places to get help. It's very easy to make friends here, and due to all of the different contexts of boarding life, you're never stuck with just one friend group. Some of my best friends are students from different grades who I met in my extracurricular! Boarding students have a lot of freedom, although it can feel kind of mandated at times - there's only a few places to go on the weekends, you have to write a form weeks in advance if you're staying overnight with your parents, and if you're sick you stay in a hot room for 9 hours with nobody checking on you. Not to mention church every Sunday, signing into dinner every night, and singing practice every Wednesday. At least our uniforms have some freedom! Of course, all of these events are still enjoyable, and there's nothing that brings people together like complaining. I love Catalina - it's my home! And I wouldn't go anywhere else.
    Read 77 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 210 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  24. Whitney High School

    • Abc Unified School District, CA
    • 7-12
    • 343 reviews
    #12 Best Public High Schools in California

    Junior: As a student from Whitney High School, I found the environment to be very welcoming yet also challenging. The curriculum and activities in the school definitely push students to their best abilities in order to help them strive in the future. Besides academically motivating students, Whitney High School also consists of a lot of sports and clubs that allow students who are not academically strong to engage in their strengths and interact with other students (of all grades) along with the teachers and faculty. Students are allowed to pursue their interests with the assistance of teachers who are well-versed in their specific fields and are able to improve drastically within their time at Whitney High School. Overall, I believe that Whitney High School benefits students and encourages them to reach their goals.
    Read 343 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,011 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Northwood High School

    • Irvine Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 483 reviews
    #13 Best Public High Schools in California

    Senior: PROS:
    High level academics far above standards
    Extracurricular activities are numerous, welcoming and easy to join
    People are generally friendly and welcoming
    Very high diversity
    Incredibly safe location
    Renowned arts program
    Academically engaged student body
    Staff is overall friendly and comparatively very aware of issues such as student stress

    CONS:
    Some teachers are comparatively weaker at teaching
    The school culture is tainted with stress and overloading. Academics are paramount, and while the social climate is strong, academic stress pervades a large amount of the student body. Being surrounded by many extremely high-level students takes a toll on one's self-perception. Staff is very aware of this issue, and tries to address it, but it isn't the most effective, and the root of the issue lies in the students, in how they pressure themselves.
    Administration does their job well often, but sometimes makes questionable decisions regarding school policies and event planning.
    Read 483 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,237 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. St. Francis High School

    • Private School
    • Mountain View, CA
    • 9-12
    • 258 reviews
    #59 Best Private High Schools in California

    Freshman: I have attended Saint Francis for one semester and so far I’ve had a great time! The school is a welcoming and friendly environment that makes me feel safe to find a path for myself. We have more than fifty clubs and committees, our sports teams are top-notch, and the school curriculum is college-level. Our campus is absolutely gorgeous and the cafeteria food is so good! We make sure to clean up after ourselves because a clean campus is a reflection of how we take pride in our school. I believe the school should work on diversity and celebrating different cultures. I believe the school can do more to bring out diversity in their student body. If you plan on applying here, be aware that the application process is very selective (interviews, high test scores, 3.5+ GPA) and less than 30% get in. They look for students who want to contribute to their community and bring good change to the world. Overall, this school is amazing and I am proud to be a lancer!
    Read 258 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,755 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. French American International School and International High School

    • Private School
    • San Francisco, CA
    • PK, K-12
    • 89 reviews
    #60 Best Private High Schools in California

    Senior: International High School (IHS) is a wonderful school that prepares students for university through the rigorous International Baccalaureate/French Baccalaureate curriculum. The teachers and faculty are very supportive and always try to help the students in any way they can. Although some of the facilities are not state of the art, the school makes it up with their challenging yet rewarding curriculum. Additionally, the college counselors at the school really help students find the right schools that fit for them and they are also very helpful throughout the college application process in general. In addition to that, International High School has an amazing global travel program where students can choose to go to places such as Burma, China/Tibet, Galapagos, etc. International High School of San Francisco is the perfect school for any student who is wants to push themselves academically, has a passion for theatre or sports, and have a strong desire to travel.
    Read 89 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,092 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Milken Community Schools

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 7-12
    • 44 reviews
    #61 Best Private High Schools in California

    Senior: Its a great school! They prepare you very well for college and help you understand the real world easily. Since it is a Jewish affiliated school and Judaism is mainly taught, the teachers do an amazing job to also incorporate other religions into our studies whether it is by talking about them or having someone with personal experience teaching.
    Read 44 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 750 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

    • Private School
    • La Canada Flintridge, CA
    • 9-12
    • 152 reviews
    #62 Best Private High Schools in California

    Parent: After careful review, our families choice for a private all - girls high school was Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
    We are so happy with our decision!
    My daughter's are thriving at FSHA, on every measurable level. Their FSHA sisters are intelligent , kind and from different walks of life. The administration and the teachers are extremely supportive .
    My three girls have been lucky enough to have wonderful educational , cultural, and, global experiences in the past. FSHA is providing a safe haven for them to continue with their pursuit of knowledge . Their guidance counsel is always available to answer any questions and the principle of the school really cares.
    Flintridge Sacred Heart is the right choice !
    Read 152 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 403 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Sponsored

    Incarnation Parish School

    • Private School
    • Glendale, CA
    • PK, K-8
    • 4 reviews

    Parent: We have been very pleased with this school. Our daughter is a kindergartner. There is a very strong academic focus, and the results/scores demonstrate this commitment. This school is definitely on the rise. She is also receiving a well-rounded education with music and Spanish. There are plenty of extra-curricular activities. Most importantly, there is a strong sense of community among the families. It has been our experience that the parents strongly value (and expect) a great education which is being provided.
    Read 4 Reviews

    • 282 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  35. Sponsored

    Hillbrook School

    • Private School
    • Los Gatos, CA
    • K-8
    • 9 reviews

    Parent: My children are thriving at the school because the teachers are absolute professionals. They get to truly know your children and how they learn best. The academics are strong and implemented in very practical ways. My children have grown more confident socially and academically. They are learning how to learn in a way that isn’t intimidating or anxiety inducing.
    Additionally, the school has demonstrated a strong commitment to being an intentionally diverse school, and continues to implement the mission of being kind, taking risks and being your best self. Children not only get to benefit from a great education by becoming confident lifelong learners, they also learn to be amazing human beings who make a difference in their communities.
    Read 9 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 383 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Oakwood School

    • Private School
    • North Hollywood, CA
    • K-12
    • 33 reviews

    Parent: We have two children in the elementary school and could not be more pleased! There is nothing about the school we don't like. From the academics, to the arts, to the community, Oakwood takes great pride and care in making sure that everyone's needs are being met. We are incredibly excited for our children to attend the secondary school, as it offers both competitive academics with incredible arts and STEAM programs. With the new athletic director, we are excited to see what advances are made in that arena as well. We cannot recommend Oakwood highly enough.
    Read 33 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 780 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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