The average private school in California was founded around 1976 (2024-25).
The oldest private school in California is San Domenico School, founded in 1850.
Year Founded Range: 1850
1889
Avg. Year Founded: 1874
Oldest Private Schools in California (2024-25)
School
Founding Date
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Founding Date: 1850
Grades: K-12
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Bellarmine College Preparatory![Bellarmine College Preparatory Photo]( "Bellarmine College Preparatory Photo")
All-boys (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
960 W Hedding St
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 294-9224
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 294-9224
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Notre Dame High School![Notre Dame High School Photo - Notre Dame graduates matriculate to impressive universities. Our rigorous curriculum, co-curricular programs and personalized counseling prepare students for success in college and beyond.]( "Notre Dame High School Photo - Notre Dame graduates matriculate to impressive universities. Our rigorous curriculum, co-curricular programs and personalized counseling prepare students for success in college and beyond.")
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
596 S 2nd St
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1113
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1113
Rank: #44.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory![Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Photo - The Pavilion is the home court for the Fightin' Irish basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. On game days, up to 1,500 fans can be heard cheering for SHC student-athletes. The Pavilion also serves as a wonderful venue for school assemblies, rallies and prayer services.]( "Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Photo - The Pavilion is the home court for the Fightin' Irish basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. On game days, up to 1,500 fans can be heard cheering for SHC student-athletes. The Pavilion also serves as a wonderful venue for school assemblies, rallies and prayer services.")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1852
Grades: 9-12
1055 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-6626
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-6626
Rank: #55.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1855
Grades: 6-12
2001 37th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 731-7500
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 731-7500
Rank: #66.
St. Clare School![St. Clare School Photo - Saint Clare School ~ Open Enrollment]( "St. Clare School Photo - Saint Clare School ~ Open Enrollment")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1856
Grades: PK-8
750 Washington St
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 246-6797
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 246-6797
Rank: #77.
Mount St. Marys Academy
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1859
Grades: K-8
400 S Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Rank: #88.
Founding Date: 1861
Grades: 9-12
4660 Harbord Drive
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 450-1110
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 450-1110
Rank: #99.
Founding Date: 1862
Grades: PK-8
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
The Hamlin School
All-girls
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: K-8
2120 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-0300
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-0300
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: 9-12
1294 Albina Ave
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Rank: #1212.
Founding Date: 1865
Grades: 9-12
1901 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 381-5121
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 381-5121
Rank: #1313.
Founding Date: 1871
Grades: PK-8
7900 Church St
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-2827
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-2827
Rank: #14 - 1714. - 17.
Christian Brothers High School![Christian Brothers High School Photo]( "Christian Brothers High School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
4315 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 733-3600
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 733-3600
Rank: #14 - 1714. - 17.
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
682 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
Rank: #14 - 1714. - 17.
Old Mission School![Old Mission School Photo - Welcome to Old Mission School]( "Old Mission School Photo - Welcome to Old Mission School")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: PK-8
761 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
Rank: #14 - 1714. - 17.
Saint Mary's High School![Saint Mary's High School Photo]( "Saint Mary's High School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
5648 N. El Dorado St.
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 957-3340
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 957-3340
Rank: #1818.
Founding Date: 1878
Grades: K-8
1266 Florida St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-8662
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-8662
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
St. Joseph Elementary School![St. Joseph Elementary School Photo]( "St. Joseph Elementary School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: PK-8
1910 San Antonio Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-4456
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-4456
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School![Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Photo - Congratulations SJND graduates!]( "Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Photo - Congratulations SJND graduates!")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: 9-12
1011 Chestnut Street
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-1526
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-1526
Rank: #2121.
Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace![Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Photo - Established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP has been educating the next generation of women leaders and innovators for more than 134 years.]( "Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Photo - Established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP has been educating the next generation of women leaders and innovators for more than 134 years.")
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1882
Grades: 9-12
4860 Oregon Street
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 297-2266
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 297-2266
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Ica Cristo Rey
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1883
Grades: 9-12
3625 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2052
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2052
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Founding Date: 1883
Grades: NS-8
154 S Shaffer St
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 288-4400
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 288-4400
Rank: #2424.
Our Lady Of Mt Carmel School![Our Lady Of Mt Carmel School Photo - Established in 1885 by the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the historic school building in nestled in a residential neighborhood close to downtown Redwood City.]( "Our Lady Of Mt Carmel School Photo - Established in 1885 by the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the historic school building in nestled in a residential neighborhood close to downtown Redwood City.")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1885
Grades: PK-8
301 Grand St
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 366-6127
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 366-6127
Rank: #2525.
Holy Rosary Catholic School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1886
Grades: PK-8
505 California Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 662-3494
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 662-3494
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Convent & Stuart Hall![Convent & Stuart Hall Photo]( "Convent & Stuart Hall Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1887
Grades: K-12
2222 Broadway St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 563-2900
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 563-2900
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Founding Date: 1887
Grades: K-12
4315 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 531-1300
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 531-1300
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
mSt. Brigid School![mSt. Brigid School Photo - Ist grade students enjoying the play system in our school yard.]( "mSt. Brigid School Photo - Ist grade students enjoying the play system in our school yard.")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1888
Grades: K-8
2250 Franklin St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-4523
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-4523
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Founding Date: 1888
Grades: PK-8
246 Howard Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 762-6426
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 762-6426
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
Marlborough School
All-girls | Special Program Emphasis
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 7-12
250 S Rossmore Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 935-1147
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 935-1147
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
1701 W Ramona Road
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 282-4151
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 282-4151
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: K-8
215 N Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 772-1363
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 772-1363
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
St. Mary's Academy![St. Mary's Academy Photo - SMA Belles taking a break in the outdoor space of our library.]( "St. Mary's Academy Photo - SMA Belles taking a break in the outdoor space of our library.")
All-girls | Special Program Emphasis (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
701 Grace Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 674-8470
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 674-8470
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
St. Raphael School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: PK-8
1100 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-4455
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-4455
Rank: #30 - 3530. - 35.
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 1,858 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California average private schools founding year?
The California average private schools founding year is 1976 for 2024-25.
What are the private schools with oldest founding year in California?
The top ranked private schools in California include San Domenico School, Bellarmine College Preparatory and Notre Dame High School.
What is private high school and private elementary school with the oldest founding year in California?
The private high school with the oldest founding year in California is San Domenico School, with a year of 1850. The private elementary school with the oldest founding year is San Domenico School, with a year of 1850.
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