Update: This article was last updated on 22nd August 2024 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
California’s second-largest and the United States eighth-largest city, San Diego, is known for more than its stunning beaches and awesome climate. In the education sector, the city has over 294 private schools which are currently serving 54,314 students. As per the latest numbers, nearly 10% of the students who are enrolled in a K-12 education program are doing so in the private schools.
Recommended Reading: Is Private School Worth It?
The purpose of the following list is to give prospective students and their parents a thorough overview of each school. All of the schools here have a track record of sending students to the best universities in the nation. So let’s dive in to learn more about San Diego’s top 6 private high schools!
Recommended Reading: Is Private School Tuition Tax Deductible?
| S.No. | School Name |
|---|---|
| 1. | Francis Parker School |
| 2. | La Jolla Country Day School |
| 3. | The Cambridge School |
| 4. | The San Diego Jewish Academy |
| 5. | Santa Fe Christian Schools |
| 6. | Saint Joseph Academy |
1. Francis Parker School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1370
- Average Financial Aid: $24,075
- Yearly Tuition: $38,920
Website: https://www.francisparker.org/
Contact: 858- 569-7900
Address: 6501 LINDA VISTA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111
Coming first on our list is Francis Parker School which is a private co-educational college preparatory day school for students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school was founded in 1912 by Clara Sturges Johnson and named after Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, an American educator who pioneered progressive education in the late 19th century.
The school is divided into three divisions: Lower School (grades JK-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and Upper School (grades 9-12). The school’s curriculum emphasizes experiential and project-based learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
The school has a strength of 1300 and 109 years of a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and actively promotes a culture of respect, empathy, and social responsibility among its students. FPS has students from diverse backgrounds who are encouraged to embrace and celebrate their differences.
In addition to academic excellence, Francis Parker School provides a strong exposure to athletics; with over 26 varsity teams, the school boasts 102 SAN DIEGO C.I.F. TITLES and 12 C.I.F. STATE/REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Visual arts, 2D Art, Woodworking, Ceramics, Digital Photography, and Robotics are some other extracurriculars the school has, including a performing arts center.
Francis Parker School has a strong reputation for preparing students for success in college and beyond. Graduates have gone on to attend some of the top universities in the country, and many have become leaders in their fields.
2. La Jolla Country Day School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1340
- Average Financial Aid: $22,582
- Yearly Tuition: $39,330
Website: https://www.ljcds.org/#
Contact: 858-453-3440
Address: 9490 GENESEE AVE, LA JOLLA, CA 92037
Located in the beautiful coastal community of La Jolla, San Diego, with a sprawling campus of 24 acres, the La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS) is a private, independent co-educational day school and was founded in 1926. The school has a student strength of 1,147 as well as employs a total of 245 faculty and staff members. LJCDS provides 15 Grade levels from Age 3 (Tiny Torreys) to Grade 12 and has a track record of providing excellent education to its students!!
The school offers a rigorous curriculum with experiential learning that includes courses in a variety of STEM-related subjects, as well as humanities and the arts. Students are also encouraged to pursue their passions through a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs.
The school has a strong academic program that focuses on preparing students for success in college and beyond with 28 Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses; they have a high emphasis on helping their students gain their dream colleges. Most recently, the Class of 2022 received over 590 college acceptances.
The school’s campus is impressive and has all modern amenities like a performing arts center, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and numerous sports fields. The school is dedicated to sustainability and has carried out numerous eco-friendly projects.
LJCDS takes pleasure in having a diverse and welcoming community. The school embraces the distinctive perspectives and experiences that each student brings to the community and welcomes students from various backgrounds and beliefs. The school is also very dedicated to doing community service, and students are encouraged to participate in a range of voluntary activities.
3. The Cambridge School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1430
- Average Financial Aid: $10,344
- Yearly Tuition: $24,800
Website: https://www.cambridgeclassical.org/
Contact: 858-484-3488
Address: 12855 BLACK MOUNTAIN RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92129
The Cambridge School is a private, independent, Christian school located in San Diego, California. It was founded in 2006 and served students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The curriculum of the school is based on the classical education model, which places a strong emphasis on the learning of the liberal arts and sciences as well as focuses on the development of critical thinking abilities in children. In addition to literature, art, and history, students are also taught STEM-related subjects. The school emphasizes experiential and hands-on learning through field trips, assignments, and other activities.
The school strives to inculcate in its students a Christian worldview and a dedication to service as part of its commitment to merging faith and learning. The institution promotes students’ growth to mold them into morally upright individuals and prepare them for future responsibilities.
Apart from academics, they also focus on extracurricular activities, such as robotics, music, drama, and debate. The Cambridge School has a robust athletic program with several teams present in sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field.
4. The San Diego Jewish Academy
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1250
- Average Financial Aid: $10,500
- Yearly Tuition: $26,560
Website: https://www.sdja.com/
Contact: (858) 704-3700
Address: 11860 CARMEL CREEK RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92130
Fourth on our list is The San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), located on a 56-acre property in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego. Founded in 1979, and serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. SDJA follows Jewish values and traditions while incorporating modern, secular learning practices.
The school’s curriculum is built to promote the development of critical thinking skills, creativity, and a strong sense of community among the students. SDJA grooms its students to help them in gaining admission to their dream universities; close to 92% of students from SDJA go on to attend a 4-year college course.
SDJA campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, which include advanced science and technology labs, a performing arts center, a sports complex, and a media center. In addition to its rigorously academic programs, SDJA also offers a variety of extracurricular activities. The school is affiliated with the San Diego Jewish Community and is committed to fostering a strong connection between its students and the larger Jewish community in the area.
5. Santa Fe Christian Schools
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1250
- Average Financial Aid: $10,500
- Yearly Tuition: $26,560
Website: https://sfcs.net/
Contact: (858) 755-8900
Address: 838 ACADEMY DR, SOLANA BEACH, CA 92075
Last but not least on our list is Santa Fe Christian Schools which is located in Solana Beach, a coastal city in San Diego County, California. The school was founded in 1977 and offered education from preschool to 12th grade. The school has a rigorous STEAM curriculum & hands-on learning-based academic program that challenges, inspires, and educates students to become future innovators.
The school focuses on the overall development of a child, which includes intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth, which helps a person in their future endeavors. The school also offers college preparatory sessions and AP courses for high school students.
In addition to the strong academic program, Santa Fe Christian Schools provides a variety of extracurricular activities and athletic programs for students. The school has over 22 highly competitive CIF teams in diverse sports and boasts of winning multiple state championships in various sports.
6. St. Joseph Academy
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1280
- Average Financial Aid: $1,335
- Yearly Tuition: $12,881
Website: https://www.sjaclassical.org/
Contact: 760-305-8505
Address: 500 LAS FLORES DR SAN MARCOS, CA 92078
In response to the Second Vatican Council’s call for increased lay testimony in modern culture, St. Joseph Academy was founded. School’s aim is to form young men and women who, devoted to living by Catholic principles, will reform and progress human culture via teaching in line with the Magisterium of the Church. The School’s goal is to educate the whole child by providing a conventional learning environment that combines faith and reason.
Saint Joseph Academy offers a rigorous approach towards traditional academics. Every student receives a rigorous, well-organized, and pertinent education from it. Our academic superiority has been confirmed by an independent examination of our programs, and in 2016, Saint Joseph has received a 6-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for grades TK–12. The school is outperforming 97% of comparable K–8 institutions. When compared to other high schools across the country, Saint Joseph high school pupils achieve higher than 94%. Our pupils’ performance places them in the top 6% of all high schools and the top 3% of all grade schools in the country.
There you go!! The six best private schools in San Diego were analyzed and picked for you to consider for your child’s education. These schools not only hone your kids academically but also push them to explore their hidden talents, all the while developing their spirituality to ensure they turn out to be responsible citizens of this global community.
Recommended Reading: Best Private Schools in NYC (New York City) | 2023
Moonpreneur is dedicated to transforming conventional education, preparing the next generation with comprehensive learning experiences. Our Innovator Program equips students with vital skills in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, Game Development, and App Development, fostering entrepreneurship through hands-on learning. This initiative aims to cultivate the workforce of tomorrow by integrating innovative technologies and practical skills in school curriculums.
Register for a 60-minute free workshop today!
I have recently shifted to Pacific Highlands Ranch and am looking for a good school nearby for my daughter. Any suggestions?
Canyon Crest Academy is near to your location and it is a good school to enroll.
Are public schools free in San Diego?
According to the California Constitution, public education must be provided to students free of charge, unless a fee is expressly authorized by law for a particular program or activity.