Your guide to private education
Private Schools across California
Browse private schools city by city in California. See what each school offers — academics, faith tradition, campus life — and find the community where your child will thrive.
- 191
- Private Schools
- 5
- Cities
- 9
- School Types
- 43
- News & Articles
Choosing well
What should you look for in a private school?
Every private school is its own small world — a mission, a culture, and a promise about what your child’s days will look like. The right fit depends on your family: the grade levels you need, the values you want reinforced, the tuition that works, and the campus where your child feels at home. This guide brings the practical details together in one place — grade spans, tuition ranges, faith affiliations, and programs — so you can shortlist with confidence and spend your visits on the questions that matter.
- Grade levels from pre-K through 12th grade
- Tuition ranges and what they include
- Faith tradition and school culture
- Academics, arts, and athletics programs
- Admissions timelines and how to apply
Explore schools by type
Every school has a mission. Browse by the kind of education that fits your family.
Faith-Based
Schools rooted in a religious tradition — Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, and more — where academics and faith formation go hand in hand.
Montessori
Child-led classrooms built on the Montessori method: mixed-age communities, hands-on materials, and independence nurtured from the earliest years.
College Preparatory
Academically rigorous programs designed around university admission — advanced coursework, college counseling, and a track record of placements.
Special Needs
Schools built for students who learn differently — specialized instruction, therapeutic support, and class sizes that let every child be understood.
Language Immersion
Programs where a second language is the medium, not just a subject — daily instruction in Spanish, French, Mandarin, and more, toward true bilingual fluency.
All-Girls
Single-gender schools for girls — classrooms and leadership opportunities designed around how girls learn and grow best.
All-Boys
Single-gender schools for boys — structure, mentorship, and programs shaped around how boys engage and thrive.
Boarding
Residential campuses where students live and learn — full-time boarding communities with round-the-clock support and deep school spirit.
Independent
Self-governing schools free to shape their own mission and curriculum — accountable to their families and boards rather than a larger system.
Browse by City in California
Ready to find the right school?
Explore private schools across California and connect directly with admissions teams.