For the 2025 school year, there are 16 college-prep and junior boarding schools serving 4,969 students located throughout California.
You can also browse our full boarding school directory or specify additional search criteria.
Top California Boarding Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
2605 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
Grades: 7-12
| 285 students
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
6-12 (day)
| 525 students
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 100 students
1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Grades: 9-12
| 300 students
P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(800) 287-9197
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(800) 287-9197
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
6-12 (day)
| 249 students
52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 280 students
255 Olympic Valley Road | P.O. Box 2180
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(245) 582-8690
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(245) 582-8690
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 70 students
Midland School
(4)
PO Box 8 / 5100 Figueroa Mountain Road
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Grades: 9-12
| 82 students
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1423
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1423
Grades: 3-12
PK-12 (day)
PK-12 (day)
| 323 students
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1990
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1990
Grades: 9-12
K-12 (day)
K-12 (day)
| 680 students
1500 Mark Thomas Drive
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 655-9356
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 655-9356
Grades: 9-12
| 215 students
3152 Forest Lake Road
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Grades: 9-12
PK-12 (day)
PK-12 (day)
| 510 students
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Grades: 9-12
| 405 students
302 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
6-12 (day)
| 425 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boarding schools are located in California?
There are 16 college-preparatory boarding schools located in California.
What is the average tuition cost of boarding school in California?
The average California boarding school tuition cost is $75,631 per year.
What is the oldest boarding school in California?
San Domenico School, founded in 1850, is the oldest boarding school in California.
What boarding school in California has the lowest acceptance rates?
The Thacher School has the lowest boarding school acceptance rate (15%) in California.
What boarding school in California has the highest average SAT scores?
The Webb Schools has the highest average SAT scores (1510) in California.
Which boarding schools in California are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of boarding schools in California include: The Thacher School vs. Cate School, Woodside Priory School (Priory) vs. Stevenson School, The Webb Schools vs. Cate School
Recent Articles
A Glimpse into Boarding School Life at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy
One of the most common questions families ask when exploring boarding school options is: What does a typical day look like for a student? Beyond academics, they want to understand how students live, learn, and grow within the community—how daily routines shape not only their education but also their independence, friendships, and character.
Corporal Punishment is Still Legal in Many States
As amazing as it sounds, corporal punishment is still legal in over 20 states. Fortunately private schools banned the practice many decades ago.
5 Tips for Applying for a Boarding School Job
Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching career, these tips will help you navigate the competitive landscape of boarding school job applications. Discover the strategies that can make your application stand out and increase your chances of landing a job at a boarding school.
