Hillbrook School Photo - Hillbrook's campus features an array of outdoor learning spaces including gardens, stately oak trees, and a creek.

Most Selective Private Preschools in California

The average private preschool acceptance rate in California is 87% per year (2024-25).
The most selective school in California is Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights, with an acceptance rate of 10%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 10% 60% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 46%

Most Selective Private Preschools in California (2024-25)

School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights
Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights Photo - water day, summer program
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: NS-PK
2880 Rowena Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 662-2663
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #1 - 31. - 3.
Montessori Academy-Glendale
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-K
1920 W Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 841-9096
Rank: #44.
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.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
The Nativity School
(Catholic)
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-8
6309 El Apajo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-6763
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Francis Parker School
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6501 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-7900
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Alverno Heights Academy
(Catholic)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: PK-12
200 N Michillinda Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-3463
Rank: #1111.
Children's Day School
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Grades: PK-8
333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-5432
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
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: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Hollywood Schoolhouse
Hollywood Schoolhouse Photo
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Grades: PK-6
1233 North McCaddden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 465-1320
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
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: #14 - 2314. - 23.
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: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Evergreen Montessori School
Evergreen Montessori School Photo - Yerba Buena Rd School, San Jose
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: NS-K
3403 Yerba Buena Road
San Jose, CA 95135
(408) 238-7001
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Hayden Child Care Center
Hayden Child Care Center Photo - Hayden Child Care Center: Educating for Life with the mind and heart of Christ
Daycare / Preschool (Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-K
819 Buena Vista St
Duarte, CA 91010
(626) 359-9592
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Millbrae Montessori School
Montessori School
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: NS-PK
797B Santa Margarita Ave
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 588-2229
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
My Own Montessori
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-K
5723 Oak Grove Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 652-5979
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Northstar School
(Islamic)
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: PK-8
22502 Woodroe Ave., Hayward
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 397-1501
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
One Fifty Parker Avenue School
One Fifty Parker Avenue School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: NS-PK
150 Parker Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-0294
Rank: #14 - 2314. - 23.
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: #14 - 2314. - 23.
Young World Preschool and Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Grades: NS
699 Serramonte Blvd, #217,219,220,221,222,233
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 994-6599
Rank: #2424.
Barnhart School
Barnhart School Photo - In addition to yearly plays, there are numerous opportunities for students to practice their public speaking skills.
(8)
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Grades: PK-8
240 W Colorado Blvd
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-5588
Rank: #2525.
The Rhoades School
The Rhoades School Photo
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Grades: PK-8
141 S Rancho Santa Fe Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 436-1102
Rank: #2626.
Old Orchard School
Old Orchard School Photo
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Grades: PK-8
400 W Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 378-5935
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Turning Point School
Turning Point School Photo
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Grades: NS-8
8780 National Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 841-2505
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Grades: NS-5
22555 Oxnard St
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 348-6563
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
6990 65th St
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 391-3333
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
The Cambridge School
The Cambridge School Photo - Weekly Memory Time - K-Prep
(Christian)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
12855 Black Mountain Rd
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-3488
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools Photo - Since 1973, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools has been dedicated to providing a high standard of college preparatory education, set within the framework of Christ-centered instruction and example. Our staff is committed to partnering with an extremely supportive school community to offer a truly unique educational experience.
(Christian)
(15)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
32032 Del Obispo St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-5683
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: NS-12
3051 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 584-2454
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Oak Grove School
Oak Grove School Photo - At Oak Grove High School preparing for college also means tapping into your interests, exploring your natural creativity, and developing lifelong practices of intellectual discipline, good communication, self-reflection, understanding, and clear thinking.
(7)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
220 West Lomita Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-8236
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Ocean View Christian Academy
Ocean View Christian Academy Photo
(Baptist)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-12
2460 Palm Avenue
San Diego, CA 92154
(619) 424-7875
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
The Pegasus School
The Pegasus School Photo - The faculty at The Pegasus School contribute to students' success on a daily basis. The Pegasus School is dedicated to academic excellence and to the development of lifelong learners who are confident, caring, and courageous.
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Grades: PK-8
19692 Lexington Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 964-1224
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 328 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California average private preschools acceptance rate?
The California average private preschools acceptance rate is 87% for 2024-25.
What are the most selective private preschools in California?
The top ranked private preschools in California include Camelot Kids Preschool and Little Knights, Centennial Montessori School and Montessori Academy-Glendale.

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