2023 Best Private High Schools in Contra Costa County

• Danville, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: The Middle School was a terrific fit for my son. The teachers "got" him. He thrived academically and socially. The administration was transparent -- just about everything worked well. The High School didn't seem quite as well run, but was still a very positive experience, overall. Most of the classes were well-taught, but there were enough exceptions that I considered going to four stars. Expectations for academic performance and involvement in extracurriculars can make it more than a full time job. Frankly, it's hard to understand how some kids managed their time, with multiple hours of homework competing with the time demands of the athletics and other extracurricular activities. And yet, the school was such a welcoming and supportive environment that it worked.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lafayette, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  108 reviews

Sophomore: The teachers and academics are great. Over my time at Bentley, I've had many wonderful teachers! The college counseling and students are great. However, a few things that aren't great at Bentley is the Admin and Sports. The issue with the admin is that they don't always treat the teachers great so we have a high turnover rate for teachers. Our sports aren't great in that there isn't too much emphasis on them, so we usually don't do super well... Overall a reasonably good school, though.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 700

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Concord, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  290 reviews

Alum: I graduated last year from CHS and can confidently say that I took much of my time there for granted. With teachers that care for your well-being while also pushing you to perform, the welcoming yet competitive environment, classes structured to push you outside of your comfort zone, and a progressive administration designed to educate youth within Catholic values without forcing beliefs upon them — this school builds good people. This school builds successful individuals and prepares them to make the world a better place. This school means the world to me and always will. Go cougars!... Read 290 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 800

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  71 reviews

Parent: The staff is so caring and personable! They truly care about their students as a whole, not just how they do academically. During these trying times with distance learning, teachers set time aside to help those that are falling behind when they are trying to learn under difficult circumstances. They set office hours to check in with students not only academically, but how they are doing emotionally and mentally. It is in these times , that the teachers have really shown through their truly amazing character and love for their students. We are blessed to be apart of such an amazing community and are thankful everyday for it!... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 399

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Concord, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  93 reviews

Alum: Far from just a "football school". De La Salle prepares its students for future academic endeavors and for life in general. I have had more rigorous classes here than I did in college. De La Salle provides a well-rounded education based in Lasallian tradition, how to be a good person, do what is right, and to take care of each other. The Brotherhood extends to the entire student body, not just the athletes. Overall, the teachers are excellent. The only downfall of a De La Salle education is that the school shelters you from the evils you find elsewhere. For example, I did not experience racism or other forms of discrimination until I went to a California public university.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,050

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Orinda, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: We moved to the East Bay from NYC during the pandemic to be close to grandparents. It was challenging for everyone, particularly our children, 16 and 12. We found Orinda Academy, the lovely and healing environment we needed. Our 16-year-old entered in 11th grade, made friends, and excelled academically. OA’s combination of nurture and rigor was just what we needed! The parent community is open and supportive. We also value an environment where teachers, administrators, and the entire school community know and care about our children. Our daughter is now 18 and in college and our younger one, now 14, just entered 9th grade at OA. So far so good! They are making friends and love their teachers. Our second time around and we could not be happier!... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 76

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Richmond, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  92 reviews

Alum: I attended Salesian College Preparatory only in my senior year and it was amid the pandemic. My previous school was closed due to lack of funds. To not compare with the old school, Salesian is one of the largest private high schools in Richmond, California. Classrooms are new, huge and well-equipped. Teachers to me are extremely helpful and well-prepared before each lesson/lecture. The whole year was remote but I was able to use provided resources to fulfill homework and extracurriculars. The exterior is nowhere to be complained about. I wish I attended Salesian throughout high school, even before Covid 19 hit.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A

• Students 404

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  172 reviews

Alum: Currently I’m on staff, but I’m an alumna from 2015 and absolutely LOVED my time at Berean! The campus culture and community is such a genuinely caring and academically competitive environment that grows you into your best self not only as a student but as a follower of Jesus Christ! Faith is the center of everything at Berean Christian, and I’m so blessed to have had mentoring teachers, coaches, and wonderful friendships that helped shape me, and now have brought me back to work at Berean on staff! From getting involved in athletics, to running for Student Leadership roles, these are areas I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in as a student. Lastly, the location of Berean Christian, in the heart of Walnut Creek, CA, is so central to everything in the Bay Area!... Read 172 reviews

• grade A

• Students 418

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Pleasant Hill, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: Quality Christian education and unwavering commitment to students. We enrolled our three children (9th, 7th and 4th grades) to PHAA for the 2021-2022 school year. After six months we were so impressed with the dedication of the teachers and administrators, that we immediately re-enrolled. PHAA nurtures the spirit of each child and focuses on building character, while keeping academic standards high. I want to clarify that we are not members of the Seventh Day Adventist church; however, we have always been treated like family. The educational value our children receive far outweighs the tuition expense. We highly recommend this school to all Christian families. Our kids say the following: “I like that I’m able to talk openly about God in class.” “It was easy for me to make friends.” “We get to work together with our classmates.”... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• Students 148

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• El Sobrante, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Sophomore: Because of the small class sizes the teachers really help any student indivisually who needs help. Although the small class sizes allows for one on one between the teacher and student, I still would like more students. I feel like I'm missing out on the high school experience because there are only 30 kids in the whole high school. I also think they should step up their lunch, pizza twice a week, corndogs, bagels and soggy burritos gets old after awhile. Besides that the school is pretty good, since it is so small you form a relationship with almost everyone.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B

• Students 261

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Senior: Going to two public high schools and eventually switching over to Futures Academy has opened my eyes to a better and safer experience. The teachers are very accepting of any conditions or issues you have and treat you as an equal. I really enjoy the calm environment that Futures Academy presents every time I walk in and I feel accepted. I couldn't say the same for many other schools I've been to.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 28

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Antioch, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: As a student at Heritage Baptist Academy with familial connections to local public schools, I am 100% certain that the academic level at this school is very high. Average state test scores at this school is higher than the average of other local schools. The classes are more demanding and more difficult than nearby public high schools. The students are well watched and very safe. The overall attitude and respect level of the students to staff is not perfect, but much better than a public schools. Some utilities can use some much needed improvements, but they are all accessible. Only one sport is offered for each gender: basketball for guys, volleyball for girls. The diversity is very profound, with many, if not most, of the students being some form of minority. I very much reccomend this school to anyone who needs a solidly biblical-based and very high level education.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 105

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Antioch, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  41 reviews

Alum: Attended from preschool to 12th grade. Recommend school to anyone wanting a small, private, family orientated and welcoming environment.... Read 41 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Orinda, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Alum: I would not have been able to successfully complete high school had I not gone to this school. Their flexibility allowed me to create a schedule that worked for me and had counselors on-site to help when needed.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Students 40

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Pittsburg, CA•

• Private School•

• 11-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 70

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Concord, CA•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 60

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 57

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Moraga, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Sophomore: I love Orion International Academy and I have only been here for over half a year now. The teachers are passionate about teaching just as much as the students are passionate about learning. The students treat each other like family, which makes Orion a very safe and friendly place for those who first arrive. Orion International Academy also has the mission to develop global leaders. From what I've seen from being here, the administration at Orion works hard in order to develop these global leaders of the next generation.... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 57

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Concord, CA•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 2.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 56

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Lafayette, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 55

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• El Sobrante, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 47

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• San Pablo, CA•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 32

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Richmond, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 22

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• El Sobrante, CA•

• Private School•

• 2-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 22

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Antioch, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 17

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1