ChoiceFunded What your state pays

Private schools in California

No state program pays private school tuition.

2,274 schools listed
406,829 students (2023-24)

No California program pays private school tuition, and the state has no tuition tax credit or deduction. Families rely on a school’s own financial aid and on privately funded scholarships.

Worth knowing: A proposed initiative to create $17,000 education savings accounts is not on the November 3, 2026 ballot. A resolution urging the governor to opt into the federal credit (ACR 229) was introduced in June 2026 and has not passed.

School choice in California: what is available

By city

The number is how many private schools sit within 6 miles of each town (12 miles for smaller towns), so nearby towns can overlap.

Ranked lists, each on one stated measure: Top private schools in Los Angeles, Top private schools in San Francisco, Top private schools in San Diego

By kind of school

By county

The largest private schools in California

SchoolCityGradesStudentsPer teacherAffiliation
Isea InternationalNewport BeachK-127,818not reportedNonsectarian
Fairmont Private SchoolAnaheimPreK-122,39110.6Nonsectarian
HarkerSan JoseK-121,9839.7Nonsectarian
Chaminade College Preparatory-High SchoolWest Hills6-121,85925.6Roman Catholic
St. Francis High SchoolMountain View9-121,7775.8Roman Catholic
Archbishop Mitty High SchoolSan Jose9-121,77014.2Roman Catholic
Cathedral Catholic High SchoolSan Diego9-121,66916.9Roman Catholic
Bellarmine College PreparatorySan Jose9-121,66417.8Roman Catholic, all-boys
Oaks Christian SchoolWestlake Village4-121,66310.6Christian (nondenominational)
Mater Dei Catholic High SchoolChula VistaK-121,65916Roman Catholic
Harvard-WestlakeLos Angeles7-121,6178.1Episcopal
St. Ignatius College PreparatorySan Francisco6-121,58512.4Roman Catholic
Ontario Christian SchoolOntarioPreK-121,43817Christian (nondenominational)
Jserra Catholic High SchoolSan Juan Capistrano9-121,3176Roman Catholic
Bridge AcademyLos AngelesPreK-121,30210.5Nonsectarian

What private school costs in California

We have read published tuition on 165 California school websites. The middle price is $15,950 for kindergarten to grade 5 (103 schools), $26,995 for grades 6 to 8 (111 schools), $25,900 for grades 9 to 12 (105 schools). Published prices run from $6,709 to $59,565 a year.

These are the schools we have verified so far, mostly larger ones, so treat the figures as a guide rather than an average. Each school's page links its source. Private school tuition in California, school by school. Tuition in every state.

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does California pay toward private school?

No state program pays private school tuition.

Who can get it?

No California program pays private school tuition, and the state has no tuition tax credit or deduction. Families rely on a school’s own financial aid and on privately funded scholarships.

Is there still room?

California is not on the IRS list of states taking part in the new federal scholarship tax credit that starts in 2027 (list dated September 14, 2026). Gov. Newsom said he was waiting for the federal rules, which Treasury proposed on October 1, 2026. Unless the state opts in, no California scholarship organization can offer these scholarships.

Pick your city School choice in California