2024 Best Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  67 reviews

Freshman: I love it here! I have never been more supported at school. There's tutorials, teachers are always flexible to meet anytime. You can email, sign up on calendly, or find them anytime at their desk. There is also WRC writing tutoring support as well as student peer tutors in all kinds of subjects. It's really just a safe environment where you feel comfortable talking to anyone of all ages, whether it's the college counselor, admissions officers, or cracking jokes with the head of school. And I'm excited that trips this year are out of state again!... Read 67 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  61 reviews

Alum: In the beginning, I felt quite alienated due to entering the school as a "new nine," but once I began stepping out of my comfort zone and attempting to make friends, all students wholeheartedly embraced me. Every day I am amazed at how committed my peers are to their own education, and unlike most other secondary schools, every student here comes to school with a genuine desire to learn and grow. They are dedicated to their academics and extracurriculars but also know how to have fun and relax at the same time, which nurtures a healthy learning environment. Likewise, the teachers actually care about both their students' understanding of the material and their wellbeings. They are flexible and willing to accommodate their students while also being able to adjust course schedules accordingly, which is an extremely admirable trait. I personally have really really appreciated my time spent at Castilleja School and wouldn't have wanted to spend my four years of high school anywhere else.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• 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

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  95 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 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  75 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 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  107 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 107 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Dublin, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  196 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 196 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 975

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• 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

• 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

• Ross, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  84 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 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 345

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• 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

• Danville, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  86 reviews

Parent: We have been a part of Athenian for over 12 years! 3 kids starting in the Middle school and matriculating to the upper school. Our experience leaves us raving fans of the school. Something special happens in the middle school. It’s such an amazing dynamic of teachers working together crossing curriculums giving the students this amazing educational experience. As they move to the upper school, obviously they get older, but the programs are perfectly situated to the transition from high school to college and to life beyond. I can’t say enough about what our kids have experienced. I am 100% certain that they would not have gotten this anywhere else.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• 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•

• 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

• 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

• Portola Valley, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  74 reviews

Senior: Very diverse school. Teaches Benedictine values. Enforce balance. The school has many clubs with different interests and very supportive teachers and staff. Academically strong school that offers interesting and challenging classes for everyone - overall I had a great experience and I am well prepared for higher education as school gave a good knowledge foundation and prepared me well.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 426

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  84 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 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,100

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lafayette, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  124 reviews

Parent: Bentley School has been such a blessing for our family! When looking for a school for our kids, we wanted to find a place that 1) Felt like home/family, 2) Had friendly, approachable, communicative teachers, 3) Listened to the ideas of families and incorporated feedback quickly 4) prioritized academics and the science of learning and most importantly, 5) made things logistically easier for our family and reduced our mental load as parents. Bentley is ALL of these things and more! It's an all-in-one magical world of learning and growth. Everything from the gardening, world language and phonics-based reading program to the easy drop-off/pick-process and same day responses to teacher and admin communication make Bentley and easy and excellent place to send our kids to school. We could not be happier with our decision!... Read 124 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 680

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Atherton, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  106 reviews

Senior: This is a great school with a booming community. Everyone here is so welcoming and contributed to the tight-knit community while everyone explores their interests, hobbies, and passions with the many many opportunities here whether it be the arts, sciences, robotics, politics, and much more.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 639

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  120 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 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,190

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• 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

• San Anselmo, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  112 reviews

Parent: As educators, my husband and I know what to look for in terms of "style versus substance" of schools that claim to be able to focus on academics, social emotional learning, diversity, inclusion, equity, mindfulness, kindness and respect. We are blown away at how exceptional SD is at providing all of these things for our daughter. My husband was literally in tears at the back to school night after hearing about the details and intentionality around the lesson plans and approach to literacy and math, as well as the social and emotional aspects of learning in and out of the classroom. The teachers are masters and know what they are doing, and they are provided with the resources and professional development to provide an excellent research-based curriculum to the students. I've worked at many independent schools for more than a decade and SD stands out as one of the best schools that I've encountered in my history as an educator. We are so grateful that our daughter has SD!... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 680

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  32 reviews

Other: As a previous mathematics teacher of three years at HSA, I can attest to the excellence of this institution. Both administration and faculty are aligned on providing the best possible, holistic education for all students. Teachers cater to each of their students' needs, possible with such small class sizes. Administration is supportive of their staff, students and families, constantly reassessing and experimenting to expand and improve. Students are kind, mature, hard working and driven.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 49

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  109 reviews

Parent: We have been at the school for the past 6 years and it has been a transformative experience for our children. The teachers and leadership are amazing and for being such a large private school it is exceptionally run. We love the international diversity of school, there are families from every corner of the globe in our children's classes. The only draw backs are not having any food service on campus and at this price it is unaccusable given all their peers offer a healthy lunch. But other than that we are extremely satisfied with the school.... Read 109 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,067

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  375 reviews

Senior: SI is such a fun school! There is always something to do after school whether that be clubs, sports, arts, or other extracurricular and you are strongly encouraged to participate in the student life and attend the many fun events. SI has great school spirit and the teachers want you to succeed. The academics are also modern and prepare you for college, relating the classroom material to the rest of your life. In addition, you have room in your schedule to pursue your own passions as well, from computer science to jazz band, to yearbook! There is a wonderful Community Service program with a life-changing Immersion experience as well as Campus Ministry both with Frosh and Soph retreats and senior Kairos! Saint Ignatius’s Jesuit values inspire students to lead lives of generosity, called to service, to leadership and love. Even though SI is a Jesuit school, it is open to all religions and spiritualities. SI really does care for the whole person and I am so glad that I chose to go here!... Read 375 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,476

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1