2024 Best Schools for STEM in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  72 reviews

Middle school student: Nueva is one of the best schools I have ever been to. My first year attending was in 6th grade, and I am currently a middle school student at the Hillsborough campus. Nueva offers a multitude of opportunities for everyone attending, from those interested in math to individuals pursuing the arts, and with many clubs and electives available with topics ranging from building a lap guitar to creative writing, we can choose what we wish to pursue. An important part of our wonderful learning environment is the supportive, kind faculty: The teachers are mostly extremely trustworthy and know how to cater to everybody's needs and learning style. Our community is also quite nice—our student environment is not very cliquey, and parents are greatly involved in the path of our school. Additionally, from the Hillsborough campus, many acres of beautiful, lush hiking trails are easily accessible, and one can admire the rolling hills that border the school. Nueva is such a wonderful place!... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  122 reviews

Parent: BISV is a splendid educational haven for my kids, offering a warm, engaging environment enhanced by skilled teachers and diverse activities like the World Festival, School Carnival, and Spirit Week. The standout feature is its STEM curriculum, arguably the Bay Area's best. The school maintains a strong academic emphasis, effectively reducing distractions. This focus offers parents peace of mind and allows students to concentrate on their learning. The effectiveness of BISV's methods is seen in their graduates' success, with many joining prestigious colleges like Stanford, Yale, MIT, Berkeley, and Harvard. Above all, witnessing my kids grow as happy, involved learners in this supportive setting has been the greatest reward. It's a place where kids not only learn but also relish the process. As a parent, I couldn't ask for more.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,190

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  169 reviews

Alum: I attended Harker from Kindergarten through High School. Harker's repute as a powerhouse of intense and thorough academics is well-earned– students are constantly challenged in the classroom. However, this academic rigor does not come at the cost of a full-fledged extracurricular experience. Harker's many extracurricular departments provide an all-encompassing vocational education that seamlessly accompanies students' academic experience, including athletics, arts, journalism, engineering, and much more. Unfortunately, while Harker's culture encourages growth and self-improvement, it lacks support for students' mental and physical health. Students often prioritize their academic work above other important aspects of life, such as sleep, health, and socializing, and this culture often contributes to burnout and mental health problems. Overall, if you are searching for a school that will exceedingly prepare you for college and beyond, I recommend Harker with confidence.... Read 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,982

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  98 reviews

Parent: I feel that my child has gained self confidence, self awareness, and self acceptance by attending this school. The diversity of the student body, faculty, and staff is reflective of the world we live in today and creates an environment where all cultures are celebrated. Sure, it is academically challenging; but that is what makes it great. They are developing students to think so that one day they can change our world for the better. By attending College Prep, my child has risen to the occasion and is reaching his full potential . Yes, my child participates in sports here; and they CAN play sports! The 2022 NCS Boys Fall Soccer Championship Division 2 went to CPS. These students are the Champion Pacesetter Scholars: Intelligent and Athletic. No high school is perfect, but in my humble opinion, this one comes pretty close.... Read 98 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Dublin, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  198 reviews

Alum: Since 2016, Quarry Lane School has been an integral part of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the education and support it provided. The dedicated teachers and staff members created a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment that not only helped me achieve academic success but also prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Quarry Lane's tight-knit community and inclusive culture fostered personal, social, and emotional growth, equipping me with the skills and confidence necessary to pursue my passion for computer science at Harvey Mudd College this fall and beyond. I express immense gratitude for the incredible experiences I've had at Quarry Lane School. It has truly become a second home to me!... Read 198 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 975

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  65 reviews

Alum: Castilleja was the best choice I have ever made, and I am eternally grateful that my parents made the sacrifice to send me there. Castilleja has made me the person who I am today and has given me lifelong friends. I believe there are very few schools in the world that instill the same love of learning, confidence, and camaraderie among women. When I compare my high school experience to that of my college friends, I understand that Castilleja is incredibly unique. The traditions, experiential classes, global programming, connection to the community, and brilliant fellow students encouraged me to be the best version of myself. The teachers at Castilleja are some of the best people I have ever met. They truly care deeply about their students' learning inside and outside of the classroom. I am still friends with my former teachers to this day. Every job I have earned post grad I learned about through a Castilleja alumni—the network is incredible and expansive.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 424

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  51 reviews

Senior: Pros: An extremely close-knit student body. Strong humanities program that will overprepare you for college. State-ranked sports teams in golf, track, cross country, tennis, etc. Passionate teachers. Pretty good lunch food. Cons: High tuition. Support for STEM programs is still growing right now, which is actually a pro if you're a self-motivated, hard-working student that can take advantage of the situation. Almost too strong of an emphasis on DEI that only seems to be growing---mandatory, bi-weekly affinity spaces based on race so that we can socialize with others "of our race" is overkill. (If this is a pro for you, that's great! Personally not my favourite thing.) What makes Crystal different than other schools is its kind, caring community. No other high school that I've visited or been to on the entire peninsula/Bay Area has as nice of a student body as Crystal does.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 565

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  216 reviews

Sophomore: As a high school student who moved from Korea to start my first experience in an American high school at Saratoga High School, I consider my experience incomparable to any other high school I might have gotten into. Saratoga High School has a broad diversity where most students are first-generation immigrants from many different cultures. Although many people comment that our school is putting immense pressure on students, I think the pressure actually motivates many students. However, sometimes this pressure and high expectations on students might be too much.... Read 216 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,159

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Atherton, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  84 reviews

Alum: Menlo School definitely encouraged students to start learning how to be independent. One of the most useful things I learned was how to communicate with my teachers/professors instead of depending on my parents to do it all for me. This sense of communication led to my teachers being understanding and supportive, no matter the situation. The lunch scene is pretty good. The main entree, so to say, was served right onto a plate, where each student could ask for what they specifically wanted. There were vegetarian options, although students did always ask for more variety. Pizza, soup, a sandwich bar, and a salad bar were also available. The drinks options were pretty healthy, with juice, milk, and water ready. But most importantly, for the students, of course, there were almost always dessert options. In terms of education, Menlo went above and beyond. As an alum, going into college was scary but I soon realized I was more than prepared for the workload and the work itself.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 796

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Ross, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  85 reviews

Parent: We have been so impressed by Branson! The faculty and staff are amazing, and the academics are challenging but come with an enormous support system that ensures all of the kids "get it." The college counseling team at Branson is phenomenal. Our eldest daughter graduated last year and got into one of the top-three universities in the country in her preferred major. Her first semester of college is challenging, but she feels that Branson prepared her well. Our younger daughter just started at Branson and is doing very well. As a family of color, our experience is that Branson is very inclusive. Both of our girls just feel part of the Branson community. While many schools promote diversity in their brochures, Branson's culture, for the most part, celebrates each student for exactly who they are.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 345

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Head Royce School in Oakland is exceptional! The dedicated teachers, engaged parent community, and focus on holistic student development make it an outstanding choice. Our 4th and 2nd graders have thrived here since kindergarten, benefiting from top-notch education, inclusive environment, and diverse extracurricular activities. Highly recommended!... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  499 reviews

Alum: Overall, my experience at Lynbrook was great. I think a lot of that positivity comes from my involvement in the school's extracurricular activities. I participated in Lynbrook's golf team for two years and their soccer team for all four years. I enjoyed my time in both sports. Through these sports I was able to build connections with students I may not have otherwise, and made memories that added a lot to my overall high school experience. I also joined a couple clubs and attended one of them consistently. That also gave me a larger sense of community within Lynbrook. The rallies were always fun, Homecoming week is something everyone looks forward too, and the food isn't that bad either (in my opinion). One thing a lot of students say about Lynbrook is that it's really competitive. I know many amazing students who felt overwhelmed by school. Lynbrook is aware of this, and the school does make many efforts to help students, be it through counseling, stress-relief animal days, and more.... Read 499 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,781

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  331 reviews

Senior: Honestly not terrible. Can at times be a bit hit and miss (i.e. got unlucky with teachers, but at what school is that not a thing), but for the most part you can get a pretty good experience out of this school if you stay optimistic. Which brings me to the main downside: (it feels like) everyone goes to college. And because of that, there are great resources to go to college! Which means you can get lulled into a false sense of security around knowing what you need to do for college even though you don't because so much has been handed to you. But as long as you're aware of that you can avoid those pitfalls and have a pretty good time.... Read 331 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,868

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  30 reviews

Parent: I had two kids at KLS for more than 6 years. We love the focus on mastery-based learning, the great teacher-student ratio, its focused, highly collaborative learning environment and the dual enrollment option with Foothill. We loved the small school environment and the parent-staff community: As parents, the admin staff was always open to hear concerns, feedback and improvements happened fast and without major admin headache. Your child will learn to become a self-directed learner and teacher to other kids while challenging themselves. It's a wonderful experience and having sent my kids to college, I am very happy to see how well they have adapted and thrive in an academically challenging environment.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  108 reviews

Senior: I love Lick! It's an incredible institution that places the value of developing the soul over simply learning material. If you want to learn about yourself, be challenged, and explore new things, Lick might be the place for you.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Fremont Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.37 out of 5  417 reviews

Senior: It's a very good learning environment, with a lot of good teachers and activities. It's highly competitive in all subjects, schedules are intensive but fun! The school offers over 200 clubs, so you can always find one for yourself. The students here not only study hard, they are talented and creative, you will see this at each year's homecoming week, spring fling, science bowl, etc. Also, we have a variety of sports teams.... Read 417 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,971

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  413 reviews

Sophomore: It is an overall fun school with many joyful people and teachers! The teachers remain calm and keep us safe even when times of emergency and evacuation. The school emails keep me on date with all the current events and school festivals. There are a variety of clubs, and the people that I've met so far are very nice and willing to help out whenever. Most of the teachers don't give me a frustrating feeling every time I enter the classroom since they always know how to cheer things up, and some even talk to the class like friends! Making the class more enjoyable. However, certain subjects that you take might not have a good grade due to different teachers' grading styles, and if you are compatible with their style of teaching. If you are not compatible and are slowly declining in terms of grade, you may drop out and not receive any credits and count that time period as a trial period before you decide whether you want to drop or not. The school lunch is ok since it's free for me.... Read 413 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,839

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Rafael, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  109 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 109 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

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  353 reviews

Junior: The overall spirit in the school is great! Academics are on quite a high level and students are competitive. Teachers are not always the best though. But the most important part for me, as a passionate future engineer, are extracurricular activities -- clubs and academic teams. The system of setting up a really strong club and finding right people to help is messed up. I would love to see a change in school's approach to this. Maybe they can hire specific people who will be in charge of helping setting up and funding clubs... Read 353 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,010

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  36 reviews

Sophomore: The school is extremely good academically and in terms of college readiness, but I feel that they are lacking in the social aspect of high school that most people look forward to. And though extensively prepared for the top colleges in the world, many students are burnt out at the end of their time at LFSF.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 888

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: I have two children at the school. They have been very well supported and they are getting a great education. They do have a significant amount of homework but they are still able to be very involved with their sports and other extra-curricular activities. Both of my kids are involved with the sports and music programs at school. The work load is manageable and they have plenty of time to spend with their friends on the weekends. It is academically challenging but my children are thriving. I feel they are well prepared for college. They have both made great friends amongst their classmates and have no regrets about attending UHS. Also, the new head of schools is great and really accessible.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  503 reviews

Sophomore: I appreciate how we are given brunch and lunch for free, which is very important for all students to be given the opportunity to learn on a full stomach. Additionally, our school provides many resources and provides a competitive culture that keeps students engaged. The community among students is very helpful and friendly. Overall, my experience is positive and I can't imagine being a student anywhere else!... Read 503 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,108

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  732 reviews

Junior: My experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The academic environment at the school is known for its competitiveness and challenge, fostering an atmosphere that pushes students to reach their full potential. The rigorous curriculum and high academic standards have undoubtedly prepared me well for future endeavors. What sets us apart is the incredible sense of community and support among students and faculty. There is a palpable camaraderie among students, creating a supportive network where mutual growth thrive is combined with the unwavering dedication of the faculty members that go above and beyond to ensure that every student receives the support they need to excel. From personalized attention in the classroom to after-school office hours, the teachers are willing to provide guidance and assistance. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and nurturing educational environment, where both academic success and the well-being of students are prioritized.... Read 732 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,340

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,087 reviews

Senior: I'm a graduating senior and my experience at Lowell was great. The workload honestly depends on what classes and teachers you take, but if you take a demanding course load make sure to stay on top of your work. Take advantage of the resources that Lowell offers like clubs and sports, but also college and career resources like the college center! Also try experimenting with creating your own schedule which is similar to what you'll do in college and how you spend your time in and outside of school. Tbh COVID and distance learning helped me find what I'm passionate about although it was quite isolating, it was an overall positive experience for me.... Read 1,087 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,652

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1