How many private schools are in the Bay Area?

It depends on who’s counting, but if you toss a frisbee anywhere between San Francisco and San Jose, you’re likely to hit one. There are over 400 private schools in the Bay Area, ranging from tiny Montessori classrooms tucked in the hills to elite college-prep academies with waitlists longer than brunch lines in Palo Alto. Not all are K-12, and not all are academically intense, but there’s a surprising variety. Whether your child is a budding artist, a math whiz, or someone who needs something a little off the beaten path, there’s probably a private school that fits. The trick is finding the one where your kid lights up instead of just fitting in.

Do all private schools in the Bay Area require standardized testing?

Not all of them, thankfully. While many traditional and academically competitive schools might still ask for scores from tests like the ISEE, SSAT, or even the school’s own assessment, others are happily moving away from test-heavy admissions. Some schools are more interested in your kid’s curiosity, creativity, or quirky side rather than how fast they can bubble in answers. The pandemic also nudged a few schools into going test-optional or test-blind. So don’t panic if your kid isn’t exactly a testing wizard. Just make sure to look at each school’s specific requirements—some are more flexible than others and might just surprise you.

What’s the deadline to apply to most private schools in the Bay Area?

Most Bay Area private schools stick to a similar admissions calendar, with applications typically due in January. Interviews, shadow days, and testing (if required) usually happen in the fall and early winter. Decisions often go out in March, which makes for a pretty tense spring break in a lot of local households. That said, every school has its own twist on the calendar, and rolling admissions are a thing at some of the smaller or more specialized schools. The moral of the story? Start early, double-check each school’s deadlines, and maybe don’t leave everything until winter break. And yes, bookmarking a spreadsheet might just save your sanity.

Do these schools have competitive admissions?

Oh yes, big time. Especially the ones you keep hearing about at soccer games and dinner parties. Admissions can feel a little like trying to get a reservation at a hot new restaurant in San Francisco... for a table of four... on a Saturday night. Many top-tier Bay Area schools receive far more applications than they have spots, and they’re not just looking at grades. They want engaged families, kind kids, and a certain magical mix of personality, passion, and potential. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely competitive. So bring your A-game, stay authentic, and don’t be afraid to show a little heart in the process.

Top 20 Bay Area Private Schools: The Very Best San Francisco Has To Offer

Choosing a private school in the Bay Area is like picking a dish from a Michelin-starred tasting menu—you’re surrounded by top-tier options, each with its own flavor, philosophy, and fanbase. But fear not, we’ve sifted through the standout stars and ranked 20 of the best private schools in the Bay Area. These schools bring the brains, the creativity, the character-building, and yes, the occasional robot-building, too. Here are the 20 schools on our list that shine in all the right ways; these are not ranked in any particular order.

1. The Nueva School | Hillsborough and San Mateo

Nueva is what happens when smart kids get the freedom to be even more curious. Project-based everything, innovation labs that look like they were stolen from Silicon Valley start-ups, and enough acronyms (SEL, DEI, STEAM) to fill a bingo card. But at its core, it’s a joyful place where kids actually love school and still have time to be extraordinary, wonderful little humans.

2. Castilleja School | Palo Alto

If Hermione Granger ever opened a school for brilliant, driven girls who are just as interested in smashing the patriarchy as they are in calculus… it would look a lot like Castilleja. It’s intense, yes, but in the best way. It’s also the only non-sectarian all-girls school around here, and the leadership training starts before the braces even come off.

3. Menlo School | Atherton

Menlo has that perfect “California-casual but still crushes the SAT” energy. Students work hard, play harder, and somehow manage to look like they walked out of a Lululemon ad while doing it. Academic excellence? Absolutely. But there’s also a huge focus on balance, well-being, and the kind of emotional intelligence you wish your coworkers had.

4. Crystal Springs Uplands School | Hillsborough

Crystal Springs is small, selective, and seriously smart. Think brainy but not boring. It’s the kind of place where kids geek out over philosophical debates and spike balls in varsity volleyball. Teachers know every kid by name, and the community is tight-knit in the best way. No cliques, no drama—just a bunch of curious kids who are actually excited to learn.

5. The College Preparatory School | Oakland

College Prep is not here to play. Unless it’s academic decathlon—then it’s definitely here to win. It’s intense, intellectual, and full of students who genuinely love learning. The kind of kids who casually quote Shakespeare at lunch and argue over the Oxford comma. The environment is cozy, the teachers are legendary, and the nerd pride is real.

6. Sacred Heart Schools | Atherton

Sacred Heart is like a warm hug wrapped in a very classy blazer. It’s a school with deep roots and a serious heart. Tradition meets innovation here, and students are taught to be good people first, then good students. There’s a chapel on campus, yes, but also robotics, global education, and leadership programs that actually lead somewhere.

7. Woodside Priory School | Portola Valley

Imagine Hogwarts, but nestled in the California hills and run by monks who really get teenagers. That’s Woodside Priory. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful, and it’s got a quiet confidence that feels rare these days. With boarding and day options, a caring community, and a focus on balance, it’s the kind of place where kids feel safe enough to stretch—and maybe even fail—a little.

8. Pinewood School | Los Altos Hills

Pinewood is proof that small can be mighty. With tiny class sizes and big ambitions, this school treats students like individuals, not stats on a spreadsheet. There’s a strong arts program, a great balance of structure and creativity, and just enough quirkiness to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name—and your dog’s name too.

9. Silicon Valley International School | Palo Alto and Menlo Park

Want your kid to graduate fluent in Mandarin and IB essay writing? Silicon Valley International is the school for your tiny global citizen. Formerly known as INTL and Alto, this school blends bilingual immersion with a truly international mindset. It’s brainy, boundary-pushing, and kind of like having the United Nations on a playground.

10. Keys School | Palo Alto

Keys is cozy, clever, and full of heart. It’s a K–8 program that believes in growing not just minds but humans. Students get a solid foundation in academics, yes, but also in listening, reflecting, and figuring out how to disagree without flipping a table. Emotional intelligence is part of the curriculum here—and it shows.

11. Mid-Peninsula High School | Menlo Park

Mid-Pen is like that cool aunt who lets you be yourself and still expects you to show up on time. It’s the go-to for students who thrive with flexibility, warmth, and a little extra breathing room. Teachers here actually get teenagers, and they don’t just teach—they cheer you on. If your kid’s not into cookie-cutter anything, this might be where they finally feel like school fits.

12. Kehillah Jewish High School | Palo Alto

Kehillah is where academic excellence meets soul-searching in the best possible way. It’s warm, diverse, and filled with students who are as into thoughtful debates as they are into TikTok trends. You don’t have to be Jewish, but you do have to be curious, open-minded, and into things like social justice, science labs, and knowing your teachers really care. It’s like a think tank, but with more matzah ball soup.

13. Waldorf School of the Peninsula | Los Altos & Mountain View

If your kid spends more time in treehouses than on tablets, Waldorf might feel like home. Here, education means painting, baking, woodworking, and playing a recorder like it’s a life skill. It’s unplugged, artsy, and deeply human. They take the “whole child” thing seriously—and honestly, it works. Students leave grounded, creative, and way more Zen than most adults.

14. The Girls’ Middle School | Palo Alto

Middle school doesn’t have to be an awkward phase—it can be a launchpad. GMS proves that. This is where girls become leaders, entrepreneurs, engineers, and fierce friends. One minute they’re pitching their startup ideas, the next they’re building robots and giving TED-style talks. It’s bold, empowering, and has enough sisterhood to make Beyoncé proud.

15. Woodland School | Portola Valley

Woodland School is basically summer camp that got its PhD. Think hands-on learning, forest views, and enough student voice to make you wish you had gone there yourself. They focus on real-world skills, curiosity, and leadership, all wrapped in a campus so pretty you’ll want to move in. It’s equal parts academic powerhouse and feel-good community.

16. Athena Academy | Palo Alto

Athena is for brilliant minds that zig when others zag. It’s built specifically for kids with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences—but don’t call it a “special” school. It’s a superhero academy in disguise. Here, students build confidence, crush academics, and finally feel seen. The classes are small, the hearts are big, and the vibe is all about celebrating how your brain works.

17. Bowman School | Palo Alto

At Bowman, kids run the show—well, sort of. It’s Montessori-inspired, which means students work at their own pace, choose their focus, and learn to be shockingly self-motivated. They might be five years old and already scheduling their day better than most adults. It’s calm, kind, and quietly powerful. Also, they don’t do grades, which somehow makes everything better.

18. Imagination Lab School | Palo Alto

Imagination Lab is where curious kids and wild ideas are not only welcome—they’re the main event. This is a tiny school with huge heart and even bigger creativity. Design thinking? Check. Social entrepreneurship? Double check. Students here build stuff, solve problems, and genuinely believe they can change the world. And honestly? We kind of believe them too.

19. The Burkard School | San Mateo

Burkard is where kids who’ve been overlooked elsewhere finally get the spotlight—and maybe even a standing ovation. This tiny but mighty school specializes in learning differences, with personalized everything and a staff that practically radiates compassion. If your child needs a school that sees their strengths instead of just their struggles, this is the one.

20. Stanford Online High School | Redwood City

Don’t let the “online” part fool you—this is not Zoom school in pajamas. Stanford OHS is for the über-curious, the deep thinkers, the teens who’d rather dissect Dostoevsky than dissect a frog. Classes are taught by PhDs, classmates live all over the world, and the discussions are intense in the best way. If your kid has outgrown traditional school and dreams in metaphors, this is their playground.

Need Help? Cardinal Education Can Lend a Hand!

Private schools are notorious for their competitive admissions. That’s why we always strive to help students and their families the best way we can. Here at Cardinal Education, we offer help by giving you the necessary skills to succeed in your academic journey. With academic coaching and test prep, We also have dedicated SSAT Practice Tests and ISEE Practice Tests as well as SSAT Prep materials and ISEE prep materials. We ensure students are in their best shape to tackle any tasks! Contact us today and let our experts guide you!

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many private schools are in the Bay Area?
It depends on who’s counting, but if you toss a frisbee anywhere between San Francisco and San Jose, you’re likely to hit one. There are over 400 private schools in the Bay Area, ranging from tiny Montessori classrooms tucked in the hills to elite college-prep academies with waitlists longer than brunch lines in Palo Alto. Not all are K-12, and not all are academically intense, but there’s a surprising variety. Whether your child is a budding artist, a math whiz, or someone who needs something a little off the beaten path, there’s probably a private school that fits. The trick is finding the one where your kid lights up instead of just fitting in.
Do all private schools in the Bay Area require standardized testing?
Not all of them, thankfully. While many traditional and academically competitive schools might still ask for scores from tests like the ISEE, SSAT, or even the school’s own assessment, others are happily moving away from test-heavy admissions. Some schools are more interested in your kid’s curiosity, creativity, or quirky side rather than how fast they can bubble in answers. The pandemic also nudged a few schools into going test-optional or test-blind. So don’t panic if your kid isn’t exactly a testing wizard. Just make sure to look at each school’s specific requirements—some are more flexible than others and might just surprise you.
What’s the deadline to apply to most private schools in the Bay Area?
Most Bay Area private schools stick to a similar admissions calendar, with applications typically due in January. Interviews, shadow days, and testing (if required) usually happen in the fall and early winter. Decisions often go out in March, which makes for a pretty tense spring break in a lot of local households. That said, every school has its own twist on the calendar, and rolling admissions are a thing at some of the smaller or more specialized schools. The moral of the story? Start early, double-check each school’s deadlines, and maybe don’t leave everything until winter break. And yes, bookmarking a spreadsheet might just save your sanity.
Do these schools have competitive admissions?
Oh yes, big time. Especially the ones you keep hearing about at soccer games and dinner parties. Admissions can feel a little like trying to get a reservation at a hot new restaurant in San Francisco… for a table of four… on a Saturday night. Many top-tier Bay Area schools receive far more applications than they have spots, and they’re not just looking at grades. They want engaged families, kind kids, and a certain magical mix of personality, passion, and potential. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely competitive. So bring your A-game, stay authentic, and don’t be afraid to show a little heart in the process.