2020 Most Diverse Private High Schools in CaliforniaAbout this List

Faith Baptist Schools

• Private School
• Canoga Park, CA
• PK, K-12
• 69 reviews

Parent: We are very satisfied with quality of Faith Baptist School. Our daughter loved the school, achieved college scholarships and received several college offers. The curriculum was well balanced and kept her interested and motivated. Most of the kids at school had high moral standards, which the school encourages. I personally love that she was taught the Bible and about our Lord Jesus. Maddy built many friendships and continues their friendships into college. We are so glad we made the choice way back in her K4 year.
Thank you Faith Baptist School!
Best Regards,
Victor and Holly Gelfo
Read 69 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 1,234 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School

• Private School
• Alameda, CA
• 9-12
• 95 reviews

Junior: Absolutely love this school. I was a student who took only one honors class my Freshmen year to a Junior who is in high honor roll with multiple advance classes. The teachers are always available: I’ve had times where I would stay after school with my teachers just to get help and that is something you really can’t get anywhere else. Sports here are awesome, I did cross country and we won our league and made it to state :). The best thing about SJND is the community. You have so many kids from so many different schools and ethnic backgrounds that it is really cool to see how we collaborate together with so many different ideas! Definitely worth looking into.
Read 95 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 477 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bishop Montgomery High School

• Private School
• Torrance, CA
• 9-12
• 288 reviews

Parent: BMHS is a Catholic, full service college prep school. It is extremely diverse with faculty and administration that truly care about each pupil and their respective families. There are numerous extra curricular opportunities and a wealth of resources for the students at their disposal. I am both an alumni and a parent of a current student. My child has completely bought in to the BMHS culture and he has thrived. I could not be more happy with our decision to keep BMHS as part of our family history. Go Knights!
Read 288 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 1,035 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Salesian College Preparatory

• Private School
• Richmond, CA
• 9-12
• 77 reviews

Alum: I loved everything about the school as a student. The Salesian Community is truly a special one, a lot of places say their school is 'home' or that this is a 'family' but it is very much the case at Salesian. The academic rigor prepared me for college and the life lessons learned there and shared with the teachers and staff are irreplaceable. Truly a special place to spend your teen years!
Read 77 Reviews

• A-

• A+

• 420 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Mary's College High School

• Private School
• Berkeley, CA
• 9-12
• 208 reviews

Senior: Saint Mary's is a diverse community with teachers who care. I'm a Jewish student who was apprehensive about attending Catholic school, but I really enjoy the monthly mass and prayer in class. It's a great time to meditate and reflect. The school offers interesting classes like "epistemology" and "perspectives on diversity," which I've gotten a lot out of. I've participated in athletics and the arts, and I've found supportive communities that help me learn and grow.
Read 208 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 630 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Moreau Catholic High School

• Private School
• Hayward, CA
• 9-12
• 184 reviews

Alum: I attended Moreau Catholic from 2012 - 2016 and had enjoyed my time there. The family involvement is immense and the involvement between other students is great. They offer many extracurricular activities and you will not see a student not in one. Everyone is welcoming which helped accelerate the transition from junior high. Moreau Catholic offers almost every type of class, while also giving the opportunity of AP classes that go towards college credit. I had a memorable experience at Moreau, from the jam-packed Friday football games and different volunteering experiences in San Francisco that gave perspective. Moreau prepares the students for whats to come in college.
Read 184 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 851 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Newbury Park Adventist Academy

• Private School
• Newbury Park, CA
• 9-12
• 61 reviews

Parent: NPAA is a wonderful small Christian school with caring faculty, and warm and inclusive students. They also have dorms which enable greater diversity with international students and other students from out of the immediate area. It was the best choice we could've made for our sons who have enjoyed the camaraderie with classmates, participation in sports, band, praise music and have taken advantage of leadership opportunities. They are constantly working to strengthen the academics and now offer AP Lit, AP Biology, and AP Calculus. We know our oldest will be solidly prepared for college as he finishes his fourth year there, and we have all loved our experience there!
Read 61 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 134 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School

• Private School
• Vallejo, CA
• 9-12
• 119 reviews

Parent: All 3 of my children received an excellent, well-rounded education, prepared to enter the university of their choice. They made life-long friends through their involvement in a wide array of extra-curricular activities and classes. My husband and I appreciated the care and personal attention given to our daughters by the faculty, staff, and administration. It was the perfect choice for our family!
Read 119 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 479 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High

• Private School
• Gardena, CA
• 7-12
• 56 reviews

Parent: We love this school and so glad we found it. Not only is the cost very reasonable, but the school community that is built around the students is welcoming. The staff is ready to respond to questions and concerns without hesitation. Would like to see more student involement with music and arts such as learning an instrument and/or drawing, painting, etc. Overall we are happy with Pac Lu!
Read 56 Reviews

• A-

• A+

• 85 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Genevieve High School

• Private School
• Panorama City, CA
• 9-12
• 85 reviews

Alum: I had a great time in this school. Great staff and teachers that care! Great small school, where the people in your small class become family for life. The High School next-door is also great!
Read 85 Reviews

• A-

• A+

• 630 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Redwood Christian Schools

• Private School
• Castro Valley, CA
• PK, K-12
• 69 reviews

Parent: Both my children started in Kindergarten and are now in middle school. We see the alignment of the curriculum and how our kids are given individualized academic attention, opportunities in all areas (sports, electives, outside activities, etc), and they truly enjoy going to school! Teachers are really top notch. Our interactions with the administrators on the middle school campus are especially appreciated as they handle issues quickly, thoughtfully, and are never too busy to care for their students.
Read 69 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 701 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

• Private School
• Healdsburg, CA
• 9-12
• 51 reviews

Senior: I have had a great experience at Rio Lindo. The staff here are very supportive and friendly. We have great extracurricular opportunities and the ability to play sports. My favorite things I've gotten to do are flag football, music, and glass art. It is a boarding/day school and so there is a variety of people who attend. You can really get close to your schoolmates. I am so thankful I get to be at this school.
Read 51 Reviews

• B

• A+

• 148 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

La Palma Christian School

• Private School
• La Palma, CA
• PK, K-12

• NG

• A+

• 146 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Archbishop Riordan High School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 111 reviews

Parent: My son is a sophomore at Archbishop Riordan and he absolutely loves school. As an all-boys school, the focus centers on guiding boys to become young men. There is a mandatory "frosh" skills class, where students learn skills such as shaking hands, balancing a checkbook, taxes, ironing a dress shirt, creating a resume, and more. The fact that Riordan is all-boys, means that the instruction targets specifically how they learn and the distractions faced at a co-ed school don't exist. Overall, we are so happy with the school and we highly recommend!
Read 111 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 680 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• 9-12
• 150 reviews

Senior: There were numerous teachers that were new to the school, they did not seem like they were well trained by the current staff. Many teachers seemed to be pre occupied with their own personal problems during classroom sessions. With that said, many of the teachers were willing to help when students reached out. There were not enough girl bathrooms and the plumbing needs to be updated, there were many clog/flooded toilets. I thought the diversity of the school was good. I think changing the dress code mid year was unnecessary, since everyone already bought their required clothing before the school year started. I also bought many books that stated that it was required before the school year started, but did not use many of the expensive books and often left them at home, barely used. In addition, the next year students could not use them because the required books change yearly. The book buy back program did not come close to what the original amount paid.
Read 150 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 1,325 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Paraclete High School

• Private School
• Lancaster, CA
• 9-12
• 182 reviews

Freshman: As a freshman class, so far we have been doing pretty good. Most of us have accomplished many noteworthy things such as turning in our homework on time and not showing up late to class. Our experiences at Paraclete so far is already turning us into better people. We have amazing teachers that would love to see us succeed in life and friends who push us to strive to do our very best. I would like to see us as a class accomplish a lot during these next years. I want us to be remembered as the class that inspires. Paraclete is an amazing privilege and it should inspire us to inspire others. I want us to inspire others to reach for the stars! We can do anything and everything. If we use this privilege that is Paraclete in a positive way, we can inspire others to accomplish anything they want. I am so enthusiastic about being part in this astounding freshman class and I have high hopes for our future.
Read 182 Reviews

• B+

• A+

• 612 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

La Salle College Preparatory

• Private School
• Pasadena, CA
• 9-12
• 104 reviews

Alum: I went to la salle from 2000-2004. I had the best experience. Cheerleading, reading leaders, tennis, baseball score keepers, choir, the list goes on. Many opportunities and a very diverse school. The chocolate chip cookies were amazing and only a quarter! I had amazing teachers and a great education. My dad and I both went there and fully enjoyed our education.
Read 104 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 630 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arlington Christian School

• Private School
• Richmond, CA
• K-12

• NG

• A+

• 22 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bishop Alemany High School

• Private School
• Mission Hills, CA
• 9-12
• 285 reviews

Parent: We researched many high schools, private and public. My son felt the most comfortable at this school. It is very diverse and in my opinion, more representative of real life. Kids need to be around a diverse student body, this only enriches their education and life experience. The staff has been very responsive and accommodating to any questions and concerns. My son feels safe and supported at this school. Not to mention the campus is absolutely gorgeous - it's like going to school at a resort, but make no mistake, there are tough rules and the administration and staff sustain and enforce them, which is all the more reason to love this organization. Highly recommend!
Read 285 Reviews

• A-

• A+

• 1,160 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bishop O'Dowd High School

• Private School
• Oakland, CA
• 9-12
• 166 reviews

Parent: LOVE everything about this school! Top-Notch academics and athletics in a very diverse, inclusive, welcoming and socially conscious environment. My son is a senior and I feel he not only received a great college-prep education but is an extremely well-rounded young man and kind citizen due to the atmosphere, challenges and opportunities provided by Bishop O'Dowd. We hope to send our younger son there too!
Read 166 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 1,243 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lighthouse Christian Academy

• Private School
• Santa Monica, CA
• 9-12

• B+

• A+

• 53 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame High School

• Private School
• San Jose, CA
• 9-12
• 219 reviews

Alum: At Notre Dame High School, I got to learn a lot about what it means to be a woman of impact. I learned lots of things from my classes, but more importantly I learned a lot about advocacy and what it means to speak my mind about issues. I learned that being an adult and getting an education is more than acquiring information, getting a job to support myself, and achieving a level of prestige. In growing up and becoming a member of society, from learning from my peers (and from teachers in the classroom and the school's environment/atmosphere overall), I have come to realize that life is not just about my personal life and my personal goals, and it is very important to engage with social issues and what is going on in the world.
Read 219 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 650 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy

• Private School
• Pleasant Hill, CA
• K-12
• 8 reviews

Works Here: Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy's school family is wonderful. Our caring teachers, creative students, and loyal families actively participate in making sure our school thrives. Students are prepared to enter the college or university of choice. Plus, we make sure they have amazing memories in and out of the classroom that last a lifetime!
Read 8 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 148 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Apostles Lutheran School

• Private School
• San Jose, CA
• K-12
• 9 reviews

Parent: Can't say enough about Apostles. My kids are getting a great preparatory education and love the environment. Teaches are amazing, and provide a safe nurturing environment for my children to grow in their education and their faith!
Read 9 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 186 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Francisco Christian School

• Private School
• San Francisco, CA
• PK, K-12
• 15 reviews

Parent: Great staff!
My children attended SFCS for 11 consecutive years. I really appreciate their dedication to each student individually. Definitely a Great school!
Read 15 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 240 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio