The Child's Primary School Photo - First day of school for our Kindergartners!

Most Selective Private Elementary Schools in California

The average private elementary school acceptance rate in California is 84% per year (2024-25).
The most selective school in California is Centennial Montessori School, with an acceptance rate of 10%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 10% 50% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 37%

Most Selective Private Elementary Schools in California (2024-25)

School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Centennial Montessori School
Centennial Montessori School Photo - A natural play yard for our 3 to 6 year olds provides a multi sensory and creative experience. The children use the space to garden, dance, jump, play games, run, twirl, build, dig and create masterpieces in our art area, mud kitchen, and music area.
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-6
27 10th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-1230
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
The Compass School
The Compass School Photo - The Compass School is an online K12 School. We offer hundreds of live online courses with expert faculty (over 95% of our teachers have a Masters Degree or Higher). Our affordable homeschool program gives students a flexible high quality schooling option that can be taken from anywhere.
(10)
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-12
548 Market Street, No 41193
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 938-4934
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: K-8
250 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 565-0400
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Write Start Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Grades: NS-4
4453 Precissi Lane
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 956-5437
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
New Covenant Academy
New Covenant Academy Photo
(Christian)
(26)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: K-12
3119 W. 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 487-5437
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: 6-12
302 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Dunn School
Dunn School Photo - The outdoor education program at Dunn School fosters greater self-awareness through physical challenges and leadership experiences in the outdoors.
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 6-12
2555 West Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-6471
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Katherine Michiels School
Katherine Michiels School Photo
Alternative School
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-5
1335 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-0130
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
The Nativity School
(Catholic)
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-8
6309 El Apajo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-6763
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Pinewood School
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
26800 Fremont Rd
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 209-3060
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
St. Monica School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-8
5950 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 875-1956
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Sequoyah School
Sequoyah School Photo
Alternative School
(19)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: K-12
K-8: 535 S. Pasadena Ave/High School: 301 N. Orange Grove Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4351
Rank: #13 - 1613. - 16.
The Bishop's School
The Bishop's School Photo - By their very nature, Bishop's students opt in. This includes the visual and performing arts, where students often go beyond their studies to become dancers, musicians, actors and artists of every stripe. Confidence in the arts opens new worlds to our students - and brings beauty to ours.
(Episcopal)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: 6-12
7607 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-4021
Rank: #13 - 1613. - 16.
Francis Parker School
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Rank: #13 - 1613. - 16.
Imagination Lab School
Imagination Lab School Photo
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-8
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Rank: #13 - 1613. - 16.
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: 4-12
4345 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(310) 478-9900
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Carlsbad Christian Academy
Carlsbad Christian Academy Photo
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: PK-8
3030 Valley St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 729-6272
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Crane Country Day School
Crane Country Day School Photo - Each 8th Grader presents a Current Event at a daily all-school assembly, in conjunction with their public speaking class. The daily assembly allows students to perform and present in front of the entire school community, developing stage presence and public speaking skills.
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Terra Marin School
Terra Marin School Photo - The front of Terra Marin School.
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
70 Lomita Dr
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 906-2220
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
The Wesley School
The Wesley School Photo - Our 2nd and 6th Grade "Buddies" connecting and reading together in our fountain courtyard.
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: K-8
4832 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 508-4542
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Alverno Heights Academy
(Catholic)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: PK-12
200 N Michillinda Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-3463
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
The Athenian School
The Athenian School Photo
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 6-12
2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
The Grauer School
The Grauer School Photo - Rendering of The Great Hall, The Grauer School
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: 7-12
1500 El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
Rank: #2424.
Children's Day School
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Grades: PK-8
333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
The Burkard School
The Burkard School Photo - The Right Support Makes All The Difference...A small independent K-8 school for bright children who need extra support with self-regulation, executive functioning, and/or social-emotional learning in the classroom.
Special Education School
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: K-8
2333 Palm Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 918-9945
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
Highland Hall Waldorf School
Highland Hall Waldorf School Photo - Our classrooms contain furniture made of natural materials and slate chalkboards.
Special Program Emphasis
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: PK-12
17100 Superior Street
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-1394
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
Hollywood Schoolhouse
Hollywood Schoolhouse Photo
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: PK-6
1233 North McCaddden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 465-1320
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Adda Clevenger School - Noe Valley Campus
Adda Clevenger School - Noe Valley Campus Photo - The Adda Clevenger School is an independent elementary school providing an accelerated academic and arts curriculum to San Francisco Bay Area students grades TK-8 since 1980.
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
180 Fair Oaks Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2240
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Brookfield School
Brookfield School Photo - Brookfield has been educating students in the Sacramento area for over 50 years. Our graduating students are regularly accepted to their first choice of high school.
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
6115 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 442-1255
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 2-7
1499 Potrero Ave Ste 1
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 596-9004
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Northstar School
(Islamic)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
22502 Woodroe Ave., Hayward
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 397-1501
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Peninsula School
Peninsula School Photo - Peninsula School's Principles of Progressive Education: - We nurture the WHOLE CHILD - We build upon children's NATURAL CURIOSITY - We cultivate children's understanding through INQUIRY, CRITICAL THINKING, and the CREATIVE PROCESS - We engage children as active participants in a DIVERSE DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITY - We amplify children's VOICES to create a more EQUITABLE, SOCIALLY JUST, and SUSTAINABLE WORLD
Alternative School
(10)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
920 Peninsula Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 325-1584
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Santa Barbara Middle School
Santa Barbara Middle School Photo - Every Friday morning at 6:45, anyone who choses, meets at the beach for a sunrise swim. We circle up as a community. The 9th graders read a quote for the week, then whomever wants to, runs in for a morning wake up plunge! After a few waves are ridden, the dip is followed by hot chocolate, coffee and donuts!
Alternative School
(14)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 6-9
1321 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
Southwestern Academy
Southwestern Academy Photo - San Marino Campus
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 6-12
2800 MONTEREY ROAD
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 799-5010
Rank: #28 - 3528. - 35.
TechProtege, LLC
TechProtege, LLC Photo - 6-year-old Jared solving Algebra "Quadratic Equations" at TechProtege. In just 11 months at TechProtege, Jared has advanced from 3rd Grade Math all the way to 9th Grade Math-- even while only in 1st Grade at his regular school!
Special Program Emphasis
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: 5-10
10250 Constellation Blvd - 23rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 499-1492
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 453 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California average private elementary schools acceptance rate?
The California average private elementary schools acceptance rate is 84% for 2024-25.
What are the most selective private elementary schools in California?
The top ranked private elementary schools in California include Centennial Montessori School, The Compass School and San Francisco Friends School.

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