2024 Best Schools in San Jose

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 3.96 out of 5  118 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 118 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,190

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Los Altos Hills, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  30 reviews

Alum: Pinewood School has changed me into the person I am today. This community has helped me open up more to get more out of the world instead of staying to my own all the time. I have learnt to be a little more sociable when necessary and taught me how I can keep improving based on my experiences. Pinewood would always try to find ways to alleviate stress on students and care about their emotions towards completing an assignment, going to a practice, or anything else. All teachers teach with such a passion that the relationship of teacher and student turns to just a discussion group talking about an very interesting topic. Although the tuition is a bit on the pricey side, I would totally recommend Pinewood to others looking for a high-quality academic and fun-loving, social community.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 612

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: I am a parent of both an alum and a current sophomore at Kehillah. Observing both kids’ unique experiences, I can say with confidence that Kehillah is an extremely special place. It’s truly an oasis within the high stress environment of Silicon Valley, but the academics are also excellent! The teachers actually love their jobs and it comes through. Each student is known and accepted, even cherished for who they are, regardless of race, religion, or any other identifier (We were originally concerned about “fitting in” to a Jewish school, but those fears quickly dissipated). We are so happy to have stumbled across this little known gem!... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 189

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  220 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed my experience here at Bellarmine, it has taught me to be an active learner and has definitely prepared me for College. There are so many activities to get involved in and they do a great job of trying to make sure everyone feels included and represented. Just like any school or institution you will get out what you put in so step out of your comfort zone and try new things to hopefully discover your passion. Go Bells!... Read 220 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,667

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  50 reviews

Works Here: This school is a jewel. It's a bilingual, inquiry-based International Baccalaureate school from Preschool to high school. The teachers are talented and dedicated, teaching through their bilingual and IB curriculum - French, Mandarin, and German. Aside from the nurturing environment for the little ones and the rigorous academics from elementary to high school -- it's a wonderful community. It's truly international, with families and faculty/staff from across the globe. It's not unusual to hear different languages being spoken in the hallways. There is a sense of collaboration, and above all -- a dedication to students. They have a robust student services team to help children post-COVID, and incorporate a focus on the whole child and their wellbeing. If you're thinking about providing your child with a leg up for their future (college, etc.) and also want them to be culturally agile and happy individuals, this is the school for your kid(s).... Read 50 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 711

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  264 reviews

Junior: The Notre Dame environment has been welcoming and inclusive from the start. The teachers and staff truly care about the students, and everyone is so supportive. Some teachers have had an especially positive impact on me and my education, and I've met some wonderful people through extracurriculars and clubs. I truly appreciate the variety of ethnic groups and leadership programs, as well as the variety of classes that are open to us. One thing I'd like to see change, however, is more initial information about the college application process. It would be great to have more of a heads-up as to what students might want to start doing earlier rather than later in regards to applying to college. Overall, Notre Dame is an amazing school with great students and staff, and I look forward to going to school every day!... Read 264 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: As a recent graduate of the school, I feel the school is quite a good place for education in terms of the freedom of choice and quality of education provided. Teachers genuinely want to see you succeed, and you're allowed to dabble in whichever subject you take interest in. Overall I would recommend!... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 79

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  188 reviews

Junior: Archbishop Mitty's overall culture is phenomenal. Mitty is a very spirited and close knit community which provides a safe learning environment for the students. The faculty are approachable and supportive. Mitty offers many clubs and has an excellent sports program! I feel that Archbishop Mitty is a very diverse, well rounded school with many opportunities for all students academically and socially.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,768

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  188 reviews

Alum: University Preparatory Academy charter has help to truly develop me into becoming a young adult. I loved the support that I had throughout all my years at UPA, even thought the pandemic teachers were there looking out for our educational well being and even mental well being. I loved the push for community and friendship that i had developed with other students from UPA of all grades. One thing I would like to see change in UPA, is the flexibility of teachers, it seemed as though most teachers had too much to handle with having to teach serval different subject and yet then some even coach sports, and didn't have time to help students and sometimes office hours would be closed.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 716

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  498 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 498 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,781

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  310 reviews

Alum: Attending Saint Francis filled my high school years with opportunity. A good selection of classes allowed me to challenge myself and pursue my interests in a variety of scientific fields. Most of my teachers were very helpful and I felt cared for and supported as a student. I did have two that were quite unresponsive over COVID however which was difficult. Saint Francis is very strong athletically as well, which improved my experience as a track and field athlete. I believe this contributes to school spirit as a whole, since many students participate in football games and spirit weeks which is always very fun! Some of my best high school memories have been from these events along with my time spent with my team. The counseling department could use some work, since I did not feel entirely supported by my assigned counselors. Many kids at this school have private tutors, so that could be the reason. Overall, I had a good time at this school and would recommend it to others.... Read 310 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,776

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  23 reviews

Parent: After two years of horrible public school experiences (bullying and lack of support from the school), we found Living Wisdom School. From the minute we met the staff we were convinced this was the school for our daughter. They approach each student with care, support, and kindness. We saw our daughter blossom under their care and grow in ways that brought tears of joy. In fact, I cried at every Parent-Teacher conference because the feedback they provided to us reflected how well they knew our daughter--something that didn't happen in the two previous years of high school. I can't recommend this school highly enough. I can't even imagine where we would be today if we didn't have the opportunity to enroll our daughter in this school. Our daughter graduated from Living Wisdom as a whole person -- confident, compassionate, mindful, and ready to take on college!... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 88

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  499 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 499 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,108

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  307 reviews

Junior: The first thing you notice when you arrive on Valley’s beautiful campus is the awesome hilltop view it has of San Jose and beyond. The glass walls of the student life center face the busy quad, which is the heart of campus. The staff here genuinely care about your well-being, and the counselor’s office rooms even have golden retrievers to relieve stress. All the textbooks you need are online, so you won’t have to deal with lugging heavy backpacks around campus. The teachers don’t assign busy work and try to make the learning meaningful in some way. Homework is even less of a problem at valley because we use an alternating block schedule. On A days you have 4 of your classes, and on B days you have your other 4 classes. Students who only have 7 classes get a free period in the morning; most students use this time to sleep in, as you don’t have to be on campus during this free period. Valley is a fun school with a ton of opportunities to excel in academics and extracurriculars.... Read 307 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,625

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  257 reviews

Parent: My wife and I have two daughters that attended Presentation High School. One graduated in 2023 and the other will graduate in 2025. They both absolutely love their experience at Pres. The education, community, staff and faculty are truly fantastic. What amazed us most is how many of the staff and faculty are actually past alumni. What better testimonial is there when graduating students choose to come back and serve at the school they once attended? Go Panthers!... Read 257 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Santa Clara Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  14 reviews

Junior: Based off public middle and elementary schools I’ve been to, I feel like Mission Early college high school has my goals in mind and check up on my progress weekly! I also feel more in touch with reality because of how mature many of my college classmates are. The only bad part of this high school is that we have more of a college experience than high school. And by this I mean I get to know what college life is but not know what it’s like to be a part of a sports team, or attend prom and homecoming.I wish it was easier for us to attend other highschool’s dances and clubs without being enrolled there.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 146

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Fremont, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We travel more an hour each day to be here. Our children thrive here and we look forward to sending our third student in a few years. Committed staff and parents make this community one that we are proud to call our own. Our students are challenged while being nurtured and supported. Students are exposed to a curriculum that is so much more than memorization and regurgitation. They are required to think critically when completing assignments. Our students have made life long friends among their schoolmates and their families. Staff routinely goes above and beyond what is expected of them and consistently make our students feel secure while at school. The travel component has immeasurable benefits. While COVID19 disrupted most travel for our students, we look forward to enjoying the lessons that await our students when they can again visit the nation's capital, the Navajo Nation, a Civil Rights tour in the South and Islamic(Andalucia) Spain. Grateful that we chose Averroes !... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 49

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: The Waldorf School of the Peninsula is simply fantastic! My child's growth and development have been incredible since joining this school. The teachers are so dedicated and caring, creating a warm and supportive environment. I love how they emphasize creativity and hands-on learning. It's been a well-rounded and enriching experience for my child. I highly recommend the Waldorf School of the Peninsula to any parent seeking a nurturing and engaging educational journey for their kid.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 142

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  267 reviews

Senior: Every school has its downs, and I experienced those extreme lows too. But that was a short time with a few people. Without that bump, it was paradise and bliss in the classroom and the students: everyone is connected and pulling through the bad stereotypes, everywhere was an opportunity to grow and learn while the friendly competition pushed each other along, I got support when a period of my life was at rock bottom with family life, and I still formed the identity that I desired. These were all chances that pertained to my life, and I caught them at any moment. I couldn’t believe I was living the life I wanted when at a competitive school and with my peers. It is unbelievable to attend here and unfortunate that I have to leave. I have moved throughout many school districts, and this one struck a chord in my heart to be grateful for the luxuries that some complain about or take for granted. It prepared me for life and prepared my ambition to continue to grow— thank you Los Gatos.... Read 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,127

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Morgan Hill, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  69 reviews

Parent: My son has been a student at Oakwood for the past 7.5 years, and it continues to be the best decision we ever made. Oakwood is an extraordinary school that boasts not only strong academics but also inclusive, well-rounded extracurricular offerings in sports, theatre, and music, to name a few. Oakwood teachers are incredible and are at the heart of what makes an Oakwood education so fantastic. They invest in their students in a way that nurtures growth, provides a foundation for excellence, and encourages students to challenge themselves. As a result, Oakwood yields some of the most articulate, thoughtful, insightful, and engaged students you will find anywhere. If you are looking for an incredible and rich educational experience for your child/ren, I encourage you to tour Oakwood. You will see and feel the difference immediately.... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 651

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Sunnyvale, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  125 reviews

Sophomore: The King’s Academy is a Christ-centered school that motivates students to work hard for the glory of God. The administration and staff work tremendously hard to teach an engaging curriculum. If you’re worried about your child’s safety, don’t be, because they’re in good hands as this school is a loving family that supports one another. The diversity of the students attending is excellent, which is always important in acknowledging and supporting other people’s background, in addition to making long-lasting friendships. The school provides a wide spectrum of different classes that may interest the child as they develop the future ahead of them. Overall, sending your child to his school will beneficially boost their future and their relationship with God. Not a doubt, the best experience a child can have is found here!... Read 125 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 988

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1