Top 10 Best Private Elementary Schools in California

There is no doubt that private schooling for your kid may cost you a fortune since public education is provided for free. But for a solid, first-class education for our kids, there is no problem spending extra money. Scholars Delight have handpicked the top 10 best private elementary schools in California into this article. All these schools are chosen after considering their tuition fee, which can be affordable.

If you are looking for small-sized classes and personal attention for your kid, the following private elementary schools are highly recommended. Moreover, public education is not performing great in California. It is to be noted that California’s children tend to score poorly on the NAEP tests. So making your kid study in a private school can be a really good decision. So without further ado, let us get started.

Best Private Elementary Schools in California

While it is true that not all private schools are good, there are some that stand out from the rest. These schools have been around for a long time, and they have worked hard to maintain their high standards and reputation. Here are 10 of the best private elementary schools in California:

1. Nueva School

Nueva School is a private school located in Los Altos, California. It was founded in 1967 and offers classes from preschool through 8th grade.

Nueva School provides an education that focuses on holistic learning, which includes both the mind and body. Students are encouraged to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills, as well as their physical fitness and social skills. The curriculum includes both team sports and individual fitness training, as well as art classes that allow students to explore different mediums of expression.

Nueva School is located on a sprawling campus with plenty of green space for outdoor activities such as hiking or jogging. The classrooms are spacious, with plenty of natural light coming in through large windows. The school has three playgrounds equipped with climbing structures and slides, as well as two tennis courts and two basketball courts.

Nueva School’s focus on art education means that each student will have the opportunity to learn about different cultures through their studies in music and dance classes. There are also several extracurricular clubs available for students interested in pursuing specific interests such as science or cooking.

The school has a top-rated student-teacher ratio at 6:1, perfectly balanced. The school is 100% committed to diversity and comfort for all its students. So if you want your kid to learn about different cultures, ethnicities, and linguicism, then this is your good choice.

Nueva School tuition is $19,000 a year. Nueva’s tuition has increased by 5 percent over the past five years, which we consider to be a reasonable cost increase. This is about average compared to other private schools in the area. Tuition at Nueva School ranges from $15,000 to $19,000 for day students.

2. Polytechnic School

The Polytechnic School has been in the education business for over 50 years. The campus is located in Pasadena, California, and offers programs for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Polytechnic’s mission is to provide an environment where each student can discover his or her own potential and develop into an effective, responsible citizen of society. The school is committed to giving every student the opportunity to become a critical thinker and creative problem solver who is prepared for success in their future endeavors.

The school offers a wide range of academic, athletic and extracurricular activities. Students can choose from over 40 clubs and organizations including Model United Nations, Robotics Club, Speech & Debate Team, Mock Trial Team and Yearbook Staff.

Polytechnic School has received national recognition for its academic excellence and was ranked by U.S News & World Report as one of America’s Best High Schools from 2012-2015.

The tuition fees at Polytechnic School are $25,000 per year for international students. This is inclusive of textbooks and other materials needed for classwork

3. Head-Royce School

If you don’t mind spending extra bucks on a school with world-class facilities, I would highly recommend Head-Royce School.

Head-Royce School is a private, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Head-Royce is located in Oakland, California and enrolls approximately 1,100 students. The school has been recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of the best private schools in America.

Founded in 1886 as a girls’ school, Head-Royce has grown to become a coeducational day school that provides an exceptional education for students from all walks of life. The mission of Head-Royce is to educate the whole child so that they can become successful leaders in their community.

The academic program at Head-Royce focuses on critical thinking and problem solving skills which prepare students for success at any level of education or career path. The curriculum includes core subjects such as English, mathematics, social studies and science plus electives such as art, drama and music classes which provide opportunities for individual expression and creativity.

Head-Royce offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses to students who wish to challenge themselves academically while earning college credit at the same time. More than 90% of Head-Royce graduates go on to attend four-year colleges or universities after graduation.

Tuition at Head-Royce School is $24,825 per year for day students in grades K through 6. For boarding students, the tuition is $33,735 per year. The average cost of tuition at private schools in California is $13,380 per year.

4. Quarry Lane School

Quarry Lane School is a private, coeducational school in La Jolla, California. The school was founded in 1991, and offers classes for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is located on the La Jolla High School campus and uses its facilities for athletic programs, including basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

The Quarry Lane School has approximately 400 students enrolled, with an average class size of 15 students per grade level. The majority of these students are from the San Diego area, but there are some who come from other regions of California as well as other countries.

The Quarry Lane curriculum includes classes in reading and math as well as science and social studies subjects like history and geography. Students also take art classes each year that include drawing, painting and sculpting techniques. Music is part of the curriculum as well. It is offered through both band and choir programs that students may select to participate in during their stay at Quarry Lane School.

Tuition at Quarry Lane School is $40,000 per year for grades 4-8; $35,000 per year for grades Kindergarten – 3; $30,000 per year for preschool; and $25,000 per year for pre-kindergarten. The school also offers financial aid through The Quarry Lane Foundation and the Foundation For Independent Schools Scholarship Program.

5. Harker School

Harker School is a private school that offers students the opportunity to learn in a small and nurturing environment. The school has two campuses and offers a variety of programs for students from preschool through 12th grade.

Harker School was founded in 1965 by Mr. Robert Harker and his wife, Dorothy Harker. The first location was opened in San Jose, California, and now serves over 1,200 students. A second campus was opened in 1975 in Alamo, California.

The mission of Harker School is to provide an excellent education for every student so that they may become productive citizens who contribute to society.

Harker School provides an international curriculum designed to give students the skills needed for an increasingly global economy and society. The curriculum emphasizes technology use as well as critical thinking skills through project-based learning activities.

The school offers flexible scheduling options so students can work around their own needs, including early morning and late afternoon classes as well as Saturday classes at both campuses. Harker also offers distance learning programs for families with members who live far away from either campus location or who move frequently due to military service or other commitments.

Tuition at Harker School ranges from $17,375 to $24,000 per year. The average tuition is $21,500 per year.

6. Chadwick School

If you want your kid to excel in arts, theatrics, music, dance, and other extracurricular activities, then I would highly recommend Chadwick School. The school also provides a great athletic and sports program for kids who want to showcase their interest in sports.

Students have an in-depth study of vocabulary, phonics, and spelling, as well as frequent assessment of reading ability with the Developmental Reading Assessment. The school provides a really good curriculum which will be challenging, but at the same time, it is stress-free.

Chadwick has earned a reputation for its focus on developing the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. Its rigorous academics are supported by a strong arts program that includes dance, music, theater and visual arts.

The small class sizes at Chadwick allow teachers to work closely with students while encouraging them to develop independent learning skills through project-based learning experiences. Students also have opportunities to participate in community service projects throughout the school year.

Tuition at Chadwick is expensive and can cost as much as $24,500 per year for an elementary student at the school. However, there are financial aid options available that make it possible for low-income families to send their children to this prestigious institution.

7. La Jolla Country Day School

La Jolla Country Day School, a private elementary school in San Diego, is one of the best schools in California. The school has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 elementary schools in America.

La Jolla Country Day School was founded in 1922 by a group of parents who wanted their children to receive an education that focused on academics and values. Today, the school serves more than 1,000 students in grades K-8. The curriculum is designed around the belief that learning should be enjoyable and challenging, with a focus on critical thinking skills and creativity.

The school’s mission is to “educate students to become responsible members of society who will contribute to the betterment of humankind.” La Jolla Country Day School offers an enriched curriculum that includes art classes and music lessons as part of its core requirements for each grade level. Students also have opportunities to participate in after-school clubs such as robotics or chess club.

The academic program at La Jolla Country Day School features small classes with highly qualified teachers who are committed to teaching excellence and student satisfaction. An active PTA provides support for all aspects of student life including athletics, fine arts, music instruction and other extracurricular activities.

La Jolla Country Day School tuition fees are $37,500 per year. This includes books, supplies and other fees associated with attending private school. Tuition does not include transportation or lunch costs for elementary students.

8. Oakwood School

Located in North Hollywood, Oakwood School is one of the finest schools which provide a full-fledged educational experience. Their diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging program is the deal-breaker that keeps this school apart from the other schools.

The Oakwood School offers a unique curriculum that focuses on reading, writing and mathematics as well as science and social studies. Students also have the opportunity to participate in athletics, music, art and drama. The school uses a one-to-one laptop program with each student receiving their own laptop computer which they use throughout their entire educational career at the school.

In addition to the traditional classroom setting, students at The Oakwood School also participate in a variety of clubs such as those related to technology and robotics as well as those related to community service activities such as volunteering at the Los Angeles Mission and helping out at local animal shelters.

Oakwood School tuition fees are determined on an annual basis and are based on the grade level of each student. For example, the cost per student for grades K-5 ranges from $14,000 to $15,500 per year while grades 6-12 costs $16,500 to $19,100 per year.

This includes all fees associated with attending Oakwood School including books and supplies as well as transportation costs if needed. Oakwood School accepts applications throughout the year with enrollment beginning in September each year for new students entering kindergarten through fifth grade; sixth through eighth grade; ninth through 12th grade; or home study program.

9. Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences is a private elementary school located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1984 by educators who believed that children should be able to explore their passions and interests while learning the core subjects. The school serves children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, and offers them a unique approach to education that blends traditional teaching methods with hands-on learning activities.

Crossroads offers a variety of programs that address both academic and social needs. Students receive one-on-one attention from teachers who help them develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and confidence. The school also offers students opportunities for community service and student leadership positions through its Community Service Club, Student Council, and Peer Leadership Program.

In addition to academic excellence, Crossroads focuses on developing the whole child through art, music, physical fitness, science experiments, field trips and more!

The teachers’ commitment to the students is unparalleled; the learning style often asks students to connect curriculum and their own lives, providing deep personal and intellectual reflection. The teachers also provide great attention to all the students.

Tuition fees at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences range from $13,450 to $29,000 per year.

10. Francis Parker School

Francis Parker School is a great school located in the heart of the state, San Diego. The school is located in a fantastic environment and gives a beautiful atmosphere. The campus is very diverse, and the teachers take great care of the elementary kids.

Francis Parker School has a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, with an average class size of 18 students per grade level. Students can choose from a variety of courses including English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. There are also electives such as Art and Music classes available for students to take outside of their core classes.

The school’s campus consists of seven buildings that include classrooms, faculty offices and other facilities such as the library and gymnasiums.

Math students are encouraged through innovative instruction to develop critical and creative thinking skills right from a young age. Kids are encouraged to find new hobbies and interests through the school’s plethora of clubs and organizations it provides.

Francis Parker School tuition fees are $25,270 per year. Financial aid is available based on need; there is no application fee or application deadline for financial aid at this school.

The process of choosing a school for your child can be overwhelming, even if you know where you stand on private or public. But you have to find the right fit when it comes to schools. You can visit each individual school and get a feel for it, but the tour may rush if you have more than one school in mind. A better idea might be to reach out to parents in your community who have children enrolled in any of these schools to get their kids’ opinions about their experiences there.