2019 Best Private High Schools in Orange CountyAbout this List

Sage Hill School

• Private School
• Newport Coast, CA
• 9-12
• 61

Junior: I love the sense of community and small class sizes! Town meetings every Monday morning are really fun. There's lots of time to do work, like during conference and X-Block. Advisories are a great way to make friends and talk to the same group of people for all four years. Freshman retreat is very fun. The academics are challenging, but if you're a motivated student it's very valuable.
Read 61 Reviews

• A+

• 545 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

TVT Community Day School

• Private School
• Irvine, CA
• PK, K-12
• 136

Senior: I have learned many morlas at TVT and have been given the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in their fields. One of TVT's biggest teachings is how to approach an adult and ask for help. TVT has taught me that it is more than okay to ask for help as we have teachers that are so readily available to their students. The students at TVT make this school so amazing. With these kids in my classes, I know that when I need help, everyone will be willing to pitch in and help me succeed. I also know that when I go to college, these will be the people that will be my life long friends. The jewish values stressed everyday makes this school welcoming, and gives us a desire to continue our jewish practices beyond high school. one flaw, however, is the hebrew department. The work in this class is often tedious and does not truly help teach the important words needed to go to have a conversation. Overall, TVT is an amazing school, and I am going to miss it so much next year!
Read 136 Reviews

• A+

• 522 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Margaret's Episcopal School

• Private School
• San Juan Capistrano, CA
• PK, K-12
• 37

Parent: My two girls have been at SMES since preschool. One is a senior and one is a freshman. They are intelligent, aware, compassionate, respectful, loyal, inquisitive, hard working, athletic, proud, thoughtful, resilient young women. They are who there because of their time at SMES. They are loved, appreciated, validated and known by their SMES community. Do I recommend SMES? That is a resounding YES! There is no perfect school experience and there is no perfect school, but SMES comes pretty darn close. It’s a wonderful community and I couldn’t imagine a better place for a child to grow up.
Read 37 Reviews

• A+

• 1,250 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

• Private School
• Anaheim, CA
• 9-12
• 47

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 47 Reviews

• A+

• 577 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

• Private School
• Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
• 9-12
• 273

Senior: SMCHS is an amazing high school experience with an emphasis on academics, athletics, well-being, safety, and community. Highly recommend! From freshman orientation to these final days of high school, I have enjoyed my teachers, coaches, club leaders, campus ministry, and administration. Top notch! I learned and experienced something new every year with an engaging classroom experience, strong swim team and water polo teams, diverse clubs and programming that offers something for everyone. SMCHS promotes a strong and positive community filled with respect, kindness, and love for students, teachers, administrators, and parents. I truly enjoyed my high school experience. It’s always a great day to be an Eagle!
Read 273 Reviews

• A+

• 1,670 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

JSerra Catholic High School

• Private School
• San Juan Capistrano, CA
• 9-12
• 157

Alum: JSerra is a solid school with great students and even better teachers. It was so easy to stay after class and chat with the teachers about anything you wanted, and everyone is so friendly there. The only gripe about the school is (in my opinion) the unrealistically strict dress code. If you're a guy, dress code doesn't really effect you all too much like me, but for the girls I knew, they would always complain about skirt length or anything like that. But don't let this deter you AT ALL. JSerra is a highschool that wants you to get into the best college possible- and the counselors really are great. Need help finding what classes to take? Need to talk to someone about something on campus? Want to say hi to someone? The counselors are there! Overall, I'd rate JSerra a 10/10 would go again.
Read 157 Reviews

• A+

• 1,210 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Servite High School

• Private School
• Anaheim, CA
• 9-12
• 75

Freshman: Focus is on leadership and character. Many of the boys here are already academically minded - what's been lacking in our lives is a structure for community service and leadership skills. Since Servite is also a member of the Trinity League (most competitive sports league in the West), I am part of a well rounded curriculum. As a competitive swimmer, it is important that I get support for my extra-curricular interests and Servite does not disappoint. They just completed the new aquatics center this year - perfect timing! I especially enjoy that I am at an all boys school - no distractions, no drama (like my friends are experiencing in their co-ed high schools). We have all types here, from geeks (the robotics club of course) to jocks to dramatists to musicians, and yet the best part of it all? We still mingle at different points in the day . The administration is serious about character, and we've already seen two expulsions this year due to unacceptable behavior.
Read 75 Reviews

• A+

• 905 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rosary Academy

• Private School
• Fullerton, CA
• 9-12
• 156

Senior: Rosary is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I went to public school my whole life and Rosary was my first experience with private school. I knew absolutely no one going into freshman year and made friends before school had even started. There were so many opportunities to meet new people and find new interests and hobbies. I never imagined myself being Student Body Spirit Commissioner and leading a religious retreat more than once! There have been so many amazing memories and opportunities I have made at Rosary. Not only did I make new friends that were in the graduating class of '16, '17, '18, and, of course, '19, but I also made many new friends among the faculty and staff. They accomodate each and every student and put in the effort to get to know and chat with everyone at the school. Rosary has shaped me into the woman I am today and I couldn't be more blessed to have gone to such a school.
Read 156 Reviews

• A+

• 370 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mater Dei High School

• Private School
• Santa Ana, CA
• 9-12
• 495

Senior: Mater Dei High School is the best thing that has happened to me! Before coming to Mater Dei, I didn’t have a sense of direction on what I wanted out of my high school experience. I wanted to be a student, an athlete, a student leader, and just get involved in everything. Mater Dei allowed me to do all of that and even allowed me the opportunity to create my own clubs. I have had the opportunity to set myself up to go to remarkable universities and have made so many great connections in my four years here. There is no place that I would have rather gone. Mater Dei is my home and my family.
Read 495 Reviews

• A

• 2,159 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Crean Lutheran High School

• Private School
• Irvine, CA
• 9-12
• 154

Senior: Crean is a private high school that focuses on Christ and excellence in education, as said in their motto. This is a great school for any high schooler that wants to be connected to Christ and make friends through Christ. Its small campus allows students to become easily involved in different activities whether it be through the arts, academics, or sports. The teachers are willing to help and push their kids to be the best that they can be in preparation for college. Not only do they push their students, but they also take time to help their students if they are struggling. The faculty are kind and eager to help anyone in need and campus safety is always patrolling the school, but don't let their rough exteriors fool you. Not only are they there to keep the students safe, but they are also there to help anybody in need. Crean is a lovely campus and is slowly growing every day, proclaiming the good news.
Read 154 Reviews

• A

• 700 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Orange Lutheran High School

• Private School
• Orange, CA
• 9-12
• 167

Parent: My experience as a parent of students who’ve attended Orange Lutheran High School has been exceptional. There are endless opportunities for kids to be involved in student leadership, clubs, sports, missions and athletic events as well as music, plays, art and worship. OLU emphasizes the importance of my child’s emotional intelligence and happiness. The kids are treated with respect. Class sizes are smaller. Teachers can give kids the help they need. They offer AP and honors courses and the counseling staff is great. The (success center counter) could improve with a friendlier administrator. The head woman is very abrupt. Christian environment is very important to us. The school has daily gathering and worship. The school itself is immaculate and has awesome common areas for eating and fellowship. We currently have a child in her sophomore year at OLU and another who will be a freshman in the fall.
Read 167 Reviews

• A

• 1,330 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cornelia Connelly School

• Private School
• Anaheim, CA
• 9-12
• 51

Senior: Connelly has offered me unparalleled opportunities to take ownership of my high school education. The faculty and staff are forever supportive of students and their success; they are always available for help! The student body itself is a unique in that students from all four grade levels become close friends through various school activities. My classmates are motivated and intelligent. You cannot find this kind of tight-knit community at any other high school in Orange County!
Read 51 Reviews

• A

• 163 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

• Private School
• San Juan Capistrano, CA
• PK, K-12
• 43

Parent: We are just are just now completing our first year at CVCS and we can honestly say that we truly feel blessed that we found and chose this school for daughter. We love the sense of community and the family atmosphere as well as the phenomenal group of teachers, coaches and supporting staff who truly love our children and embrace the Christian Faith. We are grateful for our Head of Schools, Chris Rutz as well as our elementary principal, Tessa Samuelsen as they lead us on this prosperous journey. We are also looking forward this year to the significant enhancements and expansion of the campus as the school has already been such a blessing to our family. Without a doubt, this is truly an National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!
Read 43 Reviews

• A

• 429 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Michael's Preparatory School

• Private School
• Silverado, CA
• 9-12
• 3

Alum: Looking back on graduating almost 20 years ago, I can say that no other environment transforms boys into responsible young men ready to tackle the world with integrity. The lessons learned go far beyond the classroom.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 64 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Acaciawood School

• Private School
• Anaheim, CA
• 1-12
• 10

Senior: In the beginning, I really did not like my school but now that I am heading into my senior year, I really appreciate my mom enrolling me into this school. It is a great school!
Read 10 Reviews

• A

• 119 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brethren Christian School

• Private School
• Huntington Beach, CA
• 6-12
• 39

Senior: Brethren Christian is a religious school in Huntington beach city. This is a school that generates many generations of students in colleges such as UCLA, USC, LMU, etc. The school is relatively small and almost full of learning facilities. Teachers can start with the new knowledge, the many and useful clubs for gifted students to participate and show. Good teaching staff, considerate, and help students improve their assignments when they do not understand. comfortable campus environment, full electronic equipment that students can easily do. The school also has sports activities such as cross country, basketball, volleyball, ....
Read 39 Reviews

• A

• 322 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Whittier Christian High School

• Private School
• La Habra, CA
• 9-12
• 85

Senior: This school is amazing! I like that the teachers and staff are very approachable and kind. The teachers really care about their students and want to see them succeed. The head of school and the staff are very helpful and involved. I really enjoyed my time at Whittier Christian and not only have I learned a lot, but also have grown in my relationship with God.
Read 85 Reviews

• A

• 525 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Heritage Christian School

• Private School
• Lake Forest, CA
• PK, K-12

• A

• 233 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saddleback Valley Christian School

• Private School
• San Juan Capistrano, CA
• PK, K-12
• 87

Parent: We love SVCS! All three of our children began in preschool. Our first two were there through high school graduation and our youngest is following suit.

Their teachers & coaches are incredible and have exceeded our expectations by developing personal relationships that often extend beyond their academic or athletic responsibilities. They have helped develop our children's minds, confidence, character, talents and faith.

As our children got older, we gave them the option of attending larger schools but to our delight, none of them wanted to leave. They each found security in the relationships they had built with their teachers, coaches, friends and older students who kindly served as mentors. For these reasons, they actually enjoyed going to school.

As parents, we are so grateful for the blessing this school has been in the lives of our children and the eternal impact it has made on us all. We consider the people of SVCS our extended family... It truly is a special place.
Read 87 Reviews

• A

• 707 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Waldorf School of Orange County

• Private School
• Costa Mesa, CA
• PK, K-12
• 8

Junior: I love my school! I love the students, teachers, and faculty. It is a great school to go to and I recommend it 100%
Read 8 Reviews

• A

• 362 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Orangewood Academy

• Private School
• Garden Grove, CA
• PK, K-12
• 18

Senior: Overall, Orangewood Academy is a really good school, and I’m truly appreciative of everything that it has done for me. Of course, there are always things that could be changed, but they are mostly on the students’ part.
Read 18 Reviews

• A

• 230 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Eldorado Emerson Private School

• Private School
• Orange, CA
• PK, K-12
• 13

Parent: My daughter attended Eldorado from the fourth grade and went on to attend a top Eastern university. Class sizes are small, parental involvement is strongly encouraged and you never get a stock, bureaucratic answer when you ask a teacher or administrator a question. Eldorado is kind of old-school -- it's purpose is to teach, not to be politically trendy and students are given a wide berth to form their own opinions based on what they learn in class.
Read 13 Reviews

• A-

• 163 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Calvary Chapel High School

• Private School
• Santa Ana, CA
• PK, K-12
• 34

Alum: I thoroughly enjoyed my high school experience at Calvary Chapel. I appreciated the love and dedication of the CCHS faculty the most. Teachers and administrators seek to develop a relationship with all students, dedicating themselves daily to shape each individual into the man or woman they are called to be. AP academics allow students to push themselves to the next level and think outside the box. Athletics and student-led clubs provide the opportunity for all to explore their passions, no matter what they might be. As a current university student, I felt quite prepared for the rigor that accompanies a college education.
Read 34 Reviews

• A-

• 1,083 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Futures Academy - Mission Viejo

• Private School
• Laguna Hills, CA
• 6-12
• 12

Parent: One on one teaching experience- its the best. Teachers are engaging, fun, and exceptionally well educated. You can make your own schedule and it provides time to do lots of extracurricular.
Read 12 Reviews

• A-

• 28 Students
• 1:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Spirit Christian Academy

• Private School
• Tustin, CA
• K-12
• 4

Senior: Spirit Academy has been an absolute dream of a school. I do not believe there is a school out there were the teachers and administration care more about the students. Not only do the teachers care about the students education, but they are deeply invested in every other aspect of students lives as well. The teachers at Spirit Academy make themselves so available for anything you might need. They are willing to facetime, text, call, or even meet for coffee to answer questions about class work or even just to talk about everything a student might be struggling with in their life. I cannot say enough good things about Spirit Academy and the faculty there. The only thing I would want improved is the size because I believe that more students should be enrolled in this amazing school.
Read 4 Reviews

• B+

• 181 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio