2018 Best Private High Schools in California

Best Schools

828 results

Stanford Online High School
Ad
Private School
Stanford, CA
7-12
97
Parent: Stanford Online High school has offered my daughter a level of academic challenge she has never experienced and she is loving it! The teachers are enthusiastic and caring. The course material is well thought out and students will definitely be prepared for any future academic endeavors. Stanford is also doing a great job at focusing on the social-emotional aspects of high school life with great advising, counseling, and mentorship as well as a plethora of club and activities. It's an excellent school that I wish we had found sooner.
Read 97 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
667 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Harvard-Westlake School
Private School
Studio City, CA
7-12
111
1 Best Private High Schools in California
Freshman: Harvard-Westlake truly changed my life. Since coming to H-W as a new seventh grader and still, I have had experiences impossible anywhere else. The competitive nature of the community pushes me to go further than I thought I could, and I have become interested in so many topics that I never thought I would be interested in. Due to the large class sizes, I have met and made so many friends with similar interests as I have, and many with different interests that opened me to even more experiences. If you are considering applying, there is definitely something for you here, and you will not regret your decision!
Read 111 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,598 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The College Preparatory School
Private School
Oakland, CA
9-12
65
2 Best Private High Schools in California
High School Senior: I love my school! One of the best things about the school is the community. The school tries to make freshmen feel as welcome as possible when they first start at school. Freshmen are assigned to a CAP group (Connections and Advisory Program) which consists of a faculty advisor, 8-9 other freshmen, and three senior mentors. During the summer, senior mentors write letters, call, and hang out with their freshmen, which helps the freshmen meet their fellow CAP group freshmen and seniors. Also, freshmen have orientation and Freshmen Retreat together before school starts with everyone else, so they really get to know the school and each other before the year begins. Even after freshmen year, everyone is so kind and inviting. I joined sports and dance and met a lot of upperclassmen and, as I got older, younger students, that have continued to be my friends even after they've graduated. I love the students' welcoming nature (I can pretty much have a conversation with anyone) and the overall nice feeling.
Read 65 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
363 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Harker School
Private School
San Jose, CA
PK, K-12
105
3 Best Private High Schools in California
Freshman: I've been attending Harker since kindergarten (I'm going to be a freshman), and I really love it! The academics are amazing, and the teachers are committed to educating and are full of knowledge. The athletics program is getting better and better every year. However, some problems I have are the dress code and the administration favoring those whose parents donate lots of money to the school. Overall, Harker is an amazing school and is worth the exorbitant tuition.
Read 105 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,044 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Polytechnic School
Private School
Pasadena, CA
K-12
90
4 Best Private High Schools in California
Junior: There are so many opportunities at the school, that you can honestly do anything you want to pursue your passion. The teachers are always there for you, and are there to help you improve all the time. The academics are strong, and it's honestly so manageable.

Poly does truly have a really competitive environment. Because the school is so small, you get to know everyone, and you realize the amount of competition that exists within every grade. Sometimes, you really just feel stupid in a class (I know I have). But I love this school so so much, and I have honestly met some of the best people in the whole world. Though it is competitive, everyone is welcoming, and once you feel a part of the Poly community, you feel like you can conquer the world. I am so happy I chose this school and don't regret my decision to come. GO POLY!
Read 90 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
858 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Flintridge Preparatory School
Private School
La Canada Flintridge, CA
7-12
85
5 Best Private High Schools in California
Alum: I am an alumni of Flintridge Prep, and I absolutely loved the experience! The community is wonderful- teachers are passionate about their respective fields and will definitely go out of their way to help their students. The students are all very supportive of one another, and despite the academic intensity of the school being pretty high, you never really feel like you're ever competing with anyone.

One thing to keep in mind is that Flintridge Prep is mostly about academics. Students do have other non-academic interests such as sports or performing arts, and Prep certainly has extracurricular programs to meet these interests. However, if you are pretty proficient in an extracurricular activity and/or want to pursue it in college, you are better off looking outside of Prep for proper training in your field of interest.
Read 85 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
500 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Stanford Online High School
Private School
Stanford, CA
7-12
97
6 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: Stanford Online High school has offered my daughter a level of academic challenge she has never experienced and she is loving it! The teachers are enthusiastic and caring. The course material is well thought out and students will definitely be prepared for any future academic endeavors. Stanford is also doing a great job at focusing on the social-emotional aspects of high school life with great advising, counseling, and mentorship as well as a plethora of club and activities. It's an excellent school that I wish we had found sooner.
Read 97 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
667 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Atlanta International School
Ad
Private School
Atlanta, GA
PK, K-12
53
Senior: I left another big name Atlanta prep school to attend AIS and couldn’t be happier with my decision. The culture, community, and diversity of this school is truly unique. From the boys and girls Varsity soccer teams to the mock trial and robotics teams, AIS is a school that breeds excellence in extracurriculars, in addition to the academic rigor that comes with their IB programs. Students at AIS come from a host of different cultural backgrounds, who bring new perspectives to every classroom setting. They grow with a global mindset that prepares them for an increasingly connected and global world. All students are accepted and welcomed into an AIS community where the relationships are truly special and last long after graduation. The exciting thing is it’s only getting better. Every year new programs and facilities are being established that improve students’ educational, extra curricular, and social experiences. I would recommend it to any prospective student in Atlanta.
Read 53 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,168 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Westridge School
Private School
Pasadena, CA
4-12
76
7 Best Private High Schools in California
Alum: I am a lifer at Westridge, which means I have been there since 4th grade. My first experience in 4th grade was very nerve-recking. I had no friends and it was a new beginning, but the hospitable community and the loving teachers made it so much easier to adapt. The food there is absolutely heavenly, I always loved going afterschool to get ice cream or boba and the kitchen staff is so nice. I would say the diversity is average, in my first three years, I felt like half of the class were asian, even though I am asian too, there were only a few African Americans. The teachers were so nice to me too. I had a family member that passed away, and she was very close to me, so sometimes I was not listening in class and I was falling behind. I was very fond of my 7th grade math teacher, and I went to her time to time to find comfort.
Read 76 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
500 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Castilleja School
Private School
Palo Alto, CA
6-12
28
8 Best Private High Schools in California
Junior: I love this school! Classes have about 16 people, often fewer, so there are many opportunities for one-on-one time with the teachers. Teachers are very willing to work with students if needed. There are about 65 students per grade, so it is a close knit community. I wish our athletics was more reputable, but we are known for our academics rather than athletics. Food is pretty great, sometimes on the heavy side, though.
Read 28 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
438 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Cate School
Private School
Carpinteria, CA
9-12
27
9 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: During my time at Cate School, I have grown more than I ever thought possible when I first stepped on campus freshman year. Rigorous academics, interesting and unique electives, and a great arts program really help students find their passions and prepare for college. I started out as a shy freshman who tried to avoid social settings, but after four years of mentorship from my advisor and teachers, I have discovered a love of music, art, and science. We're not really a sports school, but there are still varsity teams for traditional sports like soccer, football, basketball, water polo, and lacrosse. Even if you don't want to play a competitive sport, there are programs like tae kwon do, outdoors, and varsity art. Although the school slides on the wealthy side, there's still a decent amount of financial aid students and the school tries very hard to meet financial needs.
Read 27 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
280 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Branson School
Private School
Ross, CA
9-12
64
10 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: Same thing said as in many previous reviews in terms of the academics. Truly demanding - no lie, my daughter was at the top of the best private middle school in Marin, and she has a boatload every week night.

That being said, this place truly is magical. Where to start? The campus is beautiful, facilities - both academic and athletic are top notch. The peer group is the highest caliber in the country. I mean that. The school draws the top students from both Marin and San Francisco.

Diversity is surprisingly prevalent here, and there is definitely a huge push by the school. The community is great - there are many opportunities to meet others via events and socials.

For such a small school, athletics are impressive (and competitive). Most students here are active in some sport, many also play at the club level. School spirit is very strong and refreshing for a school this size.

Honestly, no real negatives. The commute in/out of Ross can sometimes be a pain?
Read 64 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
321 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Lick-Wilmerding High School
Private School
San Francisco, CA
9-12
80
11 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: I've attended Lick Wilmerding for 4 years now and It's amazing! There are so many available resources and opportunities for educational purposes some of which I'll miss in college. In terms of college readiness, you are very well prepared academically but there are only 3 college counselors for a class of 125ish to you essentially have to do it yourself if you're a first gen college student. The social life is exciting but there is light (depending on you personality) divide between the rich kids and kids on flex tuition.
Read 80 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
490 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Thacher School
Private School
Ojai, CA
9-12
51
12 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: Thacher is a wonderful school! Our daughter is very bright and forward thinking. This is the perfect fit for her. Her experience from kindergarten through 9th grade was in the French system which is very strict and academic. Her experience was very positive there, but it was time for her to experience more connection to her teachers. The Thacher School has been a breath of fresh air. Down to earth. Their understanding of the teen mind and showing them the path of responsibility to themselves and other people is impressive and it works. My husband and I could not be happier with our daughter's choice of Thacher as her school.
Read 51 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
246 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Bishop's School
Private School
San Diego, CA
6-12
59
13 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: Overall, a satisfying experience, considering I attended Bishop's 6-12 grades. I'd say the best part is the small class sizes, thus allowing you to have one-on-one relationships with teachers, and they can tailor their teaching more specifically to all the students. However, recently teachers have been leaving at a pretty high rate, so it's harder to get a deep connection with them, but hopefully with more administrative stability that should come soon, the teacher turnover rate will decline.
Read 59 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
800 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Marlborough School
Private School
Los Angeles, CA
7-12
112
14 Best Private High Schools in California
Freshman: I entered in the seventh grade with no particular burning academic interest nor athletic superstar skill, despite what my parents said. Hey, I was 13. I did have curiosity going for me and Marlborough opened the double door to the superstore of choices! There are clubs of every kind, teachers willing to help, sports galore and an amazing campus. The resources are there, you just have to choose. I have and now I've found where I excel and I love it! (The Café M has some yummy food too!)
Read 112 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
533 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Crystal Springs Uplands School
Private School
Hillsborough, CA
6-12
23
15 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: We have 2 high schoolers at Crystal - one of whom also attended middle school. Overall, we love Crystal! Yes, as expected, the academics (and teachers) are terrific. But two additional things stand out. First, the emphasis on the whole child. There is a true growth mindset at this school; the annual health/wellness classes are comprehensive and sometimes intense; the fine arts curriculum is wonderful; the daily schedule is organized so kids can catch their breath, see teachers, and decompress; the emphasis on diversity are supported through thoughtful panel discussions, school trips, guest speakers, student exchange programs, advisory discussions, etc. The other pleasant surprise has been the down to earth, and genuinely kind school community. This is not a snobby or flashy school. There is diversity Crystal and it's celebrated. Kids are kind and respect each other. It truly is a warm, welcoming community.
Read 23 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
350 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Head-Royce School
Private School
Oakland, CA
K-12
49
16 Best Private High Schools in California
Alum: I went here from 9 to 12 and currently attend a top 10 university. I was better prepared for university than any of my college friends, many of whom went to other prestigious private high schools. One thing that sets Head-Royce apart is the dedication to teaching a curriculum that is designed to do more than maximize AP classes. I entered college with "only" 4 AP class credits (which has not been detrimental in any way) because I took classes about the philosophy of western civilizations, art history, Islam today, and molecular genetics. I find these classes to be far more interesting and impactful upon my intellectual development than AP literature or any other classes taught purely for the purpose of passing a test.
Read 49 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
875 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Menlo School
Private School
Atherton, CA
6-12
57
17 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: Menlo has offered me so many opportunities for exploration.

Just one example is Knight School, a week of experiential learning courses. I’ve explored California, learning about marine biology in a boat on the Channel Islands for a week, as well as Death Valley. All of these opportunities require so much trust, and Menlo is a community of total trust in students' integrity, which makes a huge difference.

In the classroom, I’ve explored all subjects with a unique joy that Menlo brings to learning. My math teacher brought cake and we had a full-fledged party when we learned the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Lastly, Menlo has helped me discover myself. I understand so much more about what matters to me and how I learn best. The Menlo community is incredibly caring, close-knit, and all my teachers have made efforts to know my classmates and me personally.
Read 57 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
795 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Chadwick School
Private School
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
K-12
70
18 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: What an amazing place Chadwick is! Academically, the small class sizes allow the teachers time to adapt to the needs of the kids. In my own experience at the school I was amazed when I went to college and found classes almost universally to be a breeze thanks to Chadwick. The school entirely subscribes to a whole child philosophy, where you can load up your schedule with as many challenging classes as you like with a talented group of students, but they strongly encourage going beyond traditional academics: Outdoor ed – Each year your child will embark upon an outdoor education trip as a class where they form friendships and lifelong bonds and challenging themselves mentally and physically in ways you just can’t in the classroom. Performing and visual arts – Your child will be strongly encouraged to get outside of their comfort zone and participate in a rigorous, well-developed arts curriculum. I can confidently say Chadwick is a very special place.
Read 70 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
830 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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San Francisco University High School
Private School
San Francisco, CA
9-12
43
19 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: If there is one unique thing about UHS, it is the quality of the teaching. Teachers can be hard, but pretty much all of them want to help you and enjoy teaching. There are lots of extracurriculars and activities, but it's easy to overload your schedule as many students do. There are some peices of the school that are a work in progress, like the human development and cultural competency programs. Those programs and associated groups have caused many headaches. But overall the academic and social experience here has been positive.
Read 43 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
410 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Brentwood School
Private School
Los Angeles, CA
K-12
72
20 Best Private High Schools in California
Middle School Student: Brentwood school has supported me from the beginning. I have always felt happy and welcomed. The teachers all genuinely care about you, and not just your academic performance, but also you as a person. Yes, there are wealthy people at Brentwood School, but they are very low key and down- to- earth. Overall, I love Brentwood!
Read 72 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
996 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Francis Parker School
Private School
San Diego, CA
PK, K-12
64
21 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: I cannot say enough about my school. With its college prep courses, I feel more than prepared for college. The college counseling team is knowledgeable and are guiding me with the necessary tools to choose the best college tailored to me. The option to be involved in unique extra curricular activities make me enjoy my high experience to the max!
Read 64 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,185 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Sage Hill School
Private School
Newport Coast, CA
9-12
57
22 Best Private High Schools in California
Senior: LOVE IT HERE! Everyone is very focused on reaching their goals and pushing their passions, but the environment isn't competitive. Instead, I find it very supporting because despite how many of the students will find themselves competing against each other to get into the most prestigious universities, there is a communal respect for another that has always been there. The teachers are amazing and are always willing to work with you. All our sports are good and people get recruited for them (despite what you may hear).
Read 57 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
518 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Viewpoint School
Private School
Calabasas, CA
K-12
80
23 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: We love Viewpoint School, it is beyond our expectations. The school is beautifully cited on an enormous campus with state of the art facilities. The athletics and art facilities are impressive. Academics are rigorous and the school is dedicated to developing well rounded students. We are impressed that studio art, violin, French and team sports are all included before 3 pm and part of a standard schedule. Better yet, the school carefully crafts schedules to make managing all of these activities possible and not overwhelming. Teachers and the administration are intelligent and responsive. The school has a sophisticated system (MyViewpoint) for communicating with teachers and for managing schedules, assignments and time. The student body is welcoming, inclusive and motivated. Parent involvement is impressive - parents make an effort to be involved.
Read 80 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,215 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Urban School of San Francisco
Private School
San Francisco, CA
9-12
38
24 Best Private High Schools in California
Parent: Urban teachers and administration walk the talk they give at the Admissions Open Houses. My two kids have loved going to school each day, feel challenged academically, accepted socially, love their teachers for the most part, and have made lovely friends. The school encourages kids to be thoughtful, engaged citizens. My daughter felt very prepared for her Ivy League college. It has been a home run!
Read 38 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
420 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Private School
Santa Monica, CA
K-12
41
25 Best Private High Schools in California
Alum: At Crossroads School, students thrive as learners, artists, and people. Rigorous coursework, paired with high level discussions of society's major problems, push students to become active global citizens dedicated to making a change in the world. The teachers' commitment to the students is unparalleled; the learning style often asks students to connect curriculum and their own lives, providing for deep personal and intellectual refection. The campus is vibrant and lively: at lunchtime, some students play music and dance on tables while others can be found rehearsing student theatre, playing in the annual ping pong tournament, engaged in one of the school's 30+ community service and social justice clubs, and more. Crossroads is a place where students can explore themselves and their passions in a safe, warm environment, all while applying their newfound knowledge to real world problems. Crossroads students prove that even high schoolers can make a difference!
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,174 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 34

Stanford Online High School

Harvard-Westlake School

The College Preparatory School

The Harker School

Polytechnic School

Flintridge Preparatory School

Stanford Online High School

Atlanta International School

Westridge School

Castilleja School

Cate School

The Branson School

Lick-Wilmerding High School

The Thacher School

The Bishop's School

Marlborough School

Crystal Springs Uplands School

Head-Royce School

Menlo School

Chadwick School

San Francisco University High School

Brentwood School

Francis Parker School

Sage Hill School

Viewpoint School

The Urban School of San Francisco

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences