Private Schools in
California
- White
- Black
- Hisp.
- Asian Am.
- Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
- Haw. / Pac. Isl.
- Multi.
- Not spec.
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)
Religious Orientation
Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.
| Religious Orientation | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Nonsectarian | 1,083 | |
| Roman Catholic | 634 | |
| Christian | 334 | |
| Baptist | 98 | |
| Lutheran | 88 |
School Type
School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.
| School Type | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular elementary or secondary | 1,929 | |
| Special education | 227 | |
| Montessori | 170 | |
| Special program emphasis | 152 | |
| Early childhood/day care center | 139 |
Private Schools in California
There are 2,635 private schools in California that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.
| School | Grades | Religion | Enrollment | Mostly … | Racial Difference* | Teachers | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mater Dei High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 2,152 | White | 34% | 105 | 1950 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Chaminade College Preparetory | 6th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,994 | White | 48% | 123 | 1969 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Harker | KG–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,976 | Asian American | 37% | 203 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Kolbe Academy | KG–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,867 | White | 56% | 28 | Early childhood/day care center | |
| Brookshire International Academy | 9th–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,810 | Black | 38% | 26 | Vocational/technical | |
| Archbishop Mitty High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,752 | White | 26% | 108 | 1964 | Special program emphasis |
| St. Francis High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,745 | White | 1% | 114 | 1955 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Santa Margarita Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,724 | White | 22% | 103 | 1987 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Fairmont Private Schools-Hac | PK–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,685 | Asian American | 53% | 152 | 1953 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Fairmont Private School | PK–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,671 | Asian American | 23% | 146 | 1952 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Bellarmine College Preparatory | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,665 | White | 25% | 93 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Wilshire Private School | KG–9th | Nonsectarian | 1,625 | Asian American | 93% | 15 | 1986 | Special program emphasis |
| Harvard-Westlake | 7th–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,617 | White | 39% | 199 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Cathedral Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,612 | White | -7% | 102 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Harvard-Westlake School | 7th–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,611 | White | 33% | 179 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Valley Christian High School | 9th–12th | Christian | 1,600 | Asian American | 4% | 94 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| St. Ignatius College Preparatory | 6th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,589 | White | 27% | 131 | 1855 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Oaks Christian School | 5th–12th | Christian | 1,404 | Multiracial | 55% | 77 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Orange Lutheran High School | 9th–12th | Lutheran | 1,394 | White | 32% | 66 | 1973 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,329 | White | 29% | 59 | 1852 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Jserra Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,291 | White | 10% | 78 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Ontario Christian School | KG–12th | Christian | 1,266 | White | 37% | 33 | 1944 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Ontario Christian School | PK–12th | Christian | 1,258 | White | 61% | 93 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Francis Parker School | PK–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,257 | White | 30% | 118 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Bishop Odowd High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,248 | White | 31% | 74 | 1951 | Regular elementary or secondary |
* About racial difference
School Districts in California (979)
* About racial difference
About This Data
Where is this data from?
Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.
What schools are included?
Why are private schools listed under public school districts?
What changes has ProPublica made?
More from Education
Read the latest education investigations from ProPublica.
Do you have information about private schools? Send us a tip.
How Segregation Academies Have Changed Amite County, Mississippi
A new ProPublica analysis shows the extent to which private schools segregate students. Alongside majority-Black public school districts, a separate web of private academies are filled almost entirely with white students.
What an Unregulated School Voucher Program Looks Like
Arizona’s acclaimed voucher program provides zero transparency into private schools’ history, academic performance or financial sustainability to help parents make informed school choices.
Ohio Will Use Taxpayer Money to Construct Private Religious Schools
The state is giving millions in taxpayer dollars directly to private schools to help them renovate and expand their campuses. It may be the next frontier in the push to increase the use of school vouchers, proponents say.