2023 Best Private Schools in San Francisco

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: I've absolutely loved my time at College-Prep. It's the perfect place for students to be challenged intellectually, yet it's in a safe and welcoming environment. In my experience, there isn't really a culture of competitiveness/cutthroat environment, but, as with everywhere you go, you'll undoubtedly find exceptions to the rule. College-Prep has been perfect for me and has been a place where I've succeeded. I've grown academically, socially, and emotionally, and I am forever grateful for the faculty, peers, and friends I have met along the way. We get a pretty bad rep for sports, but it's a great place to try out new sports! If you're not an athlete and you want to start a sport, everyone's super nice and there aren't many expectations haha. Still, we do have some teams that tend to do pretty well in league or you could always play club so def not a dealbreaker in my opinion!... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  65 reviews

Sophomore: Nueva is an amazing school! There are so many opportunities all just waiting for anyone who is motivated. There is a 230+ page course catalog and a wide range of extracurriculars to take your passions to the next level. The students are kind and cool (everyone's smart but not everyone's a nerd). There are fun social events like dances, coffeehouses, musical performances, sports games, spirit rallies, and more! Nueva provides excellent STEM education (humanities as well), and the teachers are genuinely interested in you and want you to succeed.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: My daughter has had an outstanding high school experience at Head-Royce - I can't imagine a better school for her. I remember thinking, at my initial parent tour, what a remarkably smart, involved, caring, switched on group of adults running this school and inspiring and supporting the kids - this first impression was spot on. The teachers, administrators, deans, advisors, counselors, librarians, etc are superb. The overall vibe of the kids seems great too - lively and fun but also really bright, hardworking and engaged. Go Jayhawks!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  65 reviews

Senior: UHS has a lot to offer as a school. It has amazing academics, great athletics/arts programs, and fantastic teachers. The students are driven and it's easy to bond over shared stress of finals, Civ, etc. The campus is divided into 3 buildings, all within a block of each other in Pac Heights. The lunchroom isn't that big which IMO makes a lot of students leave campus, and meeting new people at lunch virtually impossible. The only negative thing about UHS is that cliques form really easily and it can feel very isolating to be a student here. Some people I know have struggled with that feeling and some people haven't, so it just depends if you find people you click with. Clubs also aren't as big here as they are at other schools, but that I just attribute to the demanding schoolwork and size of the student body.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  104 reviews

Freshman: The community at Lick Wilmerding is so strong and beautiful. Everyone on campus is always very welcoming and kind. LWHS is an amazing learning environment, and I’ve loved every second of it!... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 490

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• San Rafael, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  105 reviews

Parent: Very happy with our experience at Marin Academy. My child finds the school's innovating approach to teaching stimulating and energizing. She loves the interactive and project-based learning opportunities. Faculty and staff are engaged, passionate, accessible, and supportive. The student community is warm, diverse, and inclusive. The kids look out for each other. We are so grateful for MA!... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 440

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  59 reviews

Alum: Urban teaches you what it means to interact thoughtfully with the Bay area and the world! The resources at Urban (trips, community engagement, teachers, clubs, etcetera) empower students to take charge and become leaders. Most importantly, Urban teachers teach you how to think, not what to think. Note: Urban also lets students interview teachers, be on the board of trustees, help with strategic planning, etcetera! There is a huge amount of trust between the students and administration that further empower students to find their place in the world and make a tangible impact!... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 420

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  83 reviews

Alum: Convent is a great school for college-driven students. Due to the small size of the school, you are able to have more opportunities to take advanced courses (AP/IB). These types of students have the ability to excel academically and receive all the support they need. In that regard, 10/10. Only reason I did not provide a five star review is due to a lot of the blatant favoritism to students who went to the school for all of their education (K-12) as opposed to students who joined in high school. Convent and Stuart Hall is an amazing institution all around.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,100

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  85 reviews

Senior: I really liked attending Bay for my 4 years of high school. Bay provided me with both a quality education and the social emotional tools I will need for college and beyond. I'm really glad I chose to go here because I always felt so welcome, at home, and cared about. The college counseling department is so helpful in making sure students have the tools they need to successfully apply to college, and it's no surprise that the majority of kids get into one of their top college choices. The food is also really good and healthy! The only huge downside is the price tag. If you have the money, I would definitely recommend sending your child here.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• 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

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  105 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, International is a very rigorous school that prepares you to be a great person and undergraduate. Coming from an African American household, I feel this school lacks a lot of diversity not only in the cultural and racial department but in the education representation around said topic. The school is not very transparent around What our tuition Goes towards or what resources are available to us as students. The school has also been very unorganized in informing the students of Important information like final exams and class information. I will say though that this school has the excellent ability to unite students and prepare them in a way no other school can. The level of education is something that drew me to this school - being able to be around students who love learning and love being at school is something that encourages me to work harder everyday. The arts is also something worth mentioning as they truly understand the importance of the arts in a students life.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,067

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  365 reviews

Sophomore: I love this school so much! Coming from a public middle school not as much funding, the teachers and education overall were not as great. The support from faculty here is amazing, and so is the community. When walking through the halls, you feel like these people around you will help you if you just ask. That sense of support is a necessity, especially in high school when most students feel alone. Here at SI, I can try new things even if I am terrified of the thought. This past year, I tried new sports, clubs, and even ran for student council! There are numerous new activities you can try out. If you think you will run out of things to try, that is where you are wrong. The campus is beautiful and HUGE. If you are looking for a wonderful college preparatory high school in the bay area, you should look into this one. Starting the school year online and during quarantine was tough, but the faculty was still very supportive and got us back in person as soon as they could.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,476

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: Our son has attended Lycée in Sausalito the last two years. Our family is not French speaking so we are amazed at his progression in both English and French. He loves his classmates and teachers and is excited to attend each and every day. The teachers are all very committed to the students and spend countless hours setting up above and beyond activities like regular baking activities, gardening, field trips and STEAM fairs! You should really check this school out if you have an interest in raising a bilingual child (even if you yourself aren't bilingual!)... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 888

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: JCHS is a top tier school in the Bay Area! I am a current parent and also the parent of an alum. The teachers genuinely care about their students and they want them to learn. Athletics continues to improve. JCHS teams are winning AND having fun! The college counselor is fantastic. She gets to know each family and she guides students to UCs, junior colleges, GAP year experiences, Ivy Leagues and everything in between. My kids have made friends for life and they know how to self advocate.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 190

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: Our child has been at this school since grade 6. It is small, but special. We are busy parents and feel safe with our child here. The teachers are very dedicated, especially the English and math teachers. children have received a great artistic influence here, which has laid a foundation for cultivating their good characters. We have a good relationship and communication with our child and teachers, so if there is a problem, it can be solved. This year my child graduated from high school and got into a very good university. So we would like to thank the school for all the efforts.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 49

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  75 reviews

Parent: Our daughter had an amazing experience at Drew! She not only graduated well-prepared for college, but she was also better prepared for life. Drew really understands teenagers, and they want teenagers to develop a lifelong love for learning. They also care about their students' mental health and social development, which means that students get a well-rounded experience that sets them up for the future. On top of all that, the school has wonderful teachers, a beautiful campus and an incredible overall community. We're so grateful to Drew for everything they did to set our daughter up for success!... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 296

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  206 reviews

Senior: Bishop O'Dowd is very good. Their emphasis on school pride, mental health, and the success of their students is very apparent. They have lots of resources in order for the students to be successful in whatever they want to pursue. There are also a lot of clubs and volunteer programs that help not just the school environment but the surrounding Oakland area. The school is clean, the teachers are mostly good, and the cafeteria food is very good. I will say that while our school is diverse, it is still somewhat cliguey. In addition, the cost of school keeps increasing and costs about 18k a year. They do however provide financial aid to those who apply and need it. The administration is top-tier and very kind. This school is also a private catholic school that has a dress code. However, over the years, they have gotten much milder. Polo or O'Dowd tops and yoga pants and jeans. Overall, it is mostly up to the student how much they want to integrate themselves into the school for success.... Read 206 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Pacifica, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: An excellent Christian private school. For a small school, it offers an amazing diversity of challenging academics/APs for college prep but also student support. The motto is that students come first, and every student is known and loved. The administration aims to support struggling students, & that academic and mental health support been especially important at this time. At the very start of the pandemic, while other schools were scrambling to transition to virtual learning or independent study projects, PacBay seamlessly moved learning online over the course of a weekend. The administration did a great job researching and planning. Students attended classes on campus one day, and smoothly transitioned online the next week to minimize learning loss. As restrictions loosened, and vaccinations rose, the school's done a wonderful job re-opening the campus safely. Esp in a time of uncertainty & anxiety, you want to feel confident about where you send your child to school. We do.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 173

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Berkeley, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  14 reviews

Senior: The teachers are incredible here! Their enthusiasm and dedication makes you love what they teach even more. I like the small class size I think it is much easier to learn and go to office hours if needed. There's a lot of freedom to create your own clubs and to be apart of school activities. I feel like my voice is heard here and that I can make a change. A lot of students are very supportive and you can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone here. Although we don't have a cafeteria there's plenty of shops nearby. Even though we don't have sports teams you could probably make one and the beginning of the year and the end of the year camping trips + other school activities make up for it. If you're thinking about going here I'd sign up for an open house cause personally I've been the happiest I've ever been (in high school) being here at Maybeck! Not alot of little people have heard about Maybeck but I feel like this school is a little gem.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 110

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  176 reviews

Alum: AP classes are rigorous and set you up for success in college-- there are test-ins meant to make sure that those who take it are ready, but can punish kids who aren't good at testing. STEM classes have nice lab tables, equipment, live animals, and access to chemicals. The VPA dpt is full of wonderful human beings (kids, but especially teachers). Though it's not competitive by any means, it's a great place that feels like family and can't recommend it enough! Funded well, too. College advising dpt does a great job at guiding kids through the college app process. Teachers are hit or miss, but most genuinely care about students as people and aim to help kids succeed. Very white and affluent, then Asian 2nd most. I never saw a real fight in all 4 years there, and freshmen aren't physically bullied unlike elsewhere (taunted a little though, but never brutally). Admin tries, but often stopped by the Archbishop, esp in regard to LGBTQ issues. Atmosphere non-hostile though.... Read 176 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,325

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: San Francisco Waldorf High school is a great school to attend if you are seeking to maximize your learning and enjoy a supportive community. In San Francisco Waldorf High school, there are several unique academic and artistic tracks one can pursue. Additionally the Wolverines have a very strong athletics program; such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. Overall, San Francisco Waldorf provides an enriching experience for any student who chooses.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Berkeley, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  230 reviews

Senior: Saint Mary's College High School is an excellent school that has helped me to progress as a person. Ever since touring the school in 8th grade, I fell in love with the campus because it really does feel like a college campus. Now, as a rising senior, I feel that I have grown in my academics, social life, and thinking skills. The teachers are always there for their students and the school itself feels like a welcoming community. They also offer many academic opportunities like A-block, allowing around an hour of time for students to go to different teachers to ask for help, as well as using that time for clubs. Saint Mary's College High School is also very diverse and provides an inclusive community for everyone!... Read 230 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• San Mateo, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  325 reviews

Alum: I am a 1960 graduate of Serra High School of San Mateo, California, my brother graduated from Serra several years later, and my son also graduated from Serra. I have been involved in the school as a supporter for many years. I have gotten to know many members of the staff and many many successful graduates. For Serra to have been ignored, when many other schools which are similar (Archbishop Riordan, for example, is very similarly-situated, not really close academically or otherwise) were ranked and Serra was ignored is really inexcusable.... Read 325 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 872

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Albany, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: My son actually attends Tilden Prep Walnut Creek, but I didn’t see that as an option. The teachers and staff have been absolutely amazing. The teachers are excellent academically and willing to connect on a personal level with their students. This is especially important to kids who have school related trauma. Everyone is very willing to “meet the kids where they are”. My son has become much more confident since attending Tilden and has actually enjoyed going to school.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 75

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Kentfield, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  120 reviews

Senior: Marin Catholic offers a great community of people with invested teachers and an all-around quality education. Despite the name, one does not have to be religious to attend and will generally take 1 of 7 classes as Theology. There are numerous advanced courses and diverse electives to interest students. Sports and extracurriculars are great ways to meet new people both within one's own grade and outside it. MC campus ministry is also a great way to connect with one's faith and attend retreats which are easily the highlight of all my four years!... Read 120 reviews

• grade A

• Students 760

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1