Best California Boarding Schools (2023)

For the 2023 school year, there are 18 college-prep and junior boarding schools serving 4,459 students located throughout California.

Top California Boarding Schools (2023)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Army and Navy Academy
Army and Navy Academy Photo
(4)
2605 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
Grades: 7-12
| 320 students
The Athenian School
The Athenian School Photo
(1)
2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.
Danville, CA 94506
(925) 362-7223
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
| 535 students
Besant Hill School
Besant Hill School Photo - Besant Hill School is located in the Ojai Valley, on 500 acres of private land with beautiful vistas in every direction. Facilities include four dormitories, outdoor sports facilities including a new aquatic center, indoor theater, atelier, and classrooms nestled along winding paths and oak trees. We also have an eight acre organic farm.
(1)
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 100 students
Cate School
Cate School Photo - Day Walk
(19)
1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Grades: 9-12
| 300 students
Dunn School
Dunn School Photo - In 2020 the new Leadership Center was completed. Overlooking the open space known as Munger Common, the center provides state of the art meeting rooms and learning facilities, is home to the student-run Earwig Cafe, and hosts our college counseling team. Students can be found gathering both indoors and outside the center for conversation and relaxation.
P.O. Box 98, 2555 W. Highway 154
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(800) 287-9197
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
| 249 students
EF Academy Pasadena
EF Academy Pasadena Photo - EF Academy is an international high school welcoming day and boarding students from over 60 nationalities. At this sunny Pasadena, California campus, students have the opportunity to become global changemakers and participate in EF Academy's signature Global Leadership Program.
1505 E Howard St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 507-9223
Grades: 9-12
| 150 students
Excelsior School
Excelsior School Photo
41 W Santa Clara St.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 623-6339
Grades: 9-12
| 110 students
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
(Catholic)
440 N. St. Katherine Drive
La Canada, CA 91011
(626) 685-8521
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Idyllwild Arts Academy is home to 310 students from 35 countries and 26 US states, all devoted to intensive study of the arts. Located 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2 hours from San Diego, and 1 hour from Palm Springs, the Academy is an artistic crossroads for Southern California.
(20)
52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 280 students
255 Olympic Valley Road | P.O. Box 2180
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(530) 583-8665
Grades: 9-12, PG
| 70 students
Midland School
(4)
PO Box 8 / 5100 Figueroa Mountain Road
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Grades: 9-12
| 82 students
Ojai Valley School
Ojai Valley School Photo - The fine & performing arts curriculum at OVS includes drawing, advanced studio arts, music theory & composition, voice, ceramics, photography, graphic design, music history, film, and 3 AP art courses. Students have the opportunity to explore costume and set design. They can also participate in electives such as dance and chorus. OVS produces several productions each year.
(2)
723 El Paseo Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1423
Grades: 3-12
PK-12 (day)
| 275 students
Santa Catalina School
Santa Catalina School Photo - Come visit our beautiful campus in Monterey, California! Call the admission office at 831.655.9356 or email admission@santacatalina.org to schedule your visit.
(Catholic)
(1)
1500 Mark Thomas Drive
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 655-9356
Grades: 9-12
| 230 students
Stevenson School
Stevenson School Photo
(11)
3152 Forest Lake Road
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Grades: 9-12
PK-12 (day)
| 523 students
The Thacher School
The Thacher School Photo - In courses designed for intellectual and creative expansion, students and teachers meet in seminar circles, studios, and laboratories to create a learning environment that is vigorous and supportive, galvanizing and nurturing.
(26)
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Grades: 9-12
| 255 students
Villanova Preparatory School
Villanova Preparatory School Photo - Founded in 1924, Villanova Prep is the only Catholic boarding school in the Augustinian tradition. In this supportive environment, students are comfortable taking risks and learning more about themselves throughout their Villanova experience.
(Catholic)
(1)
12096 N. Ventura Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-1464
Grades: 9-12
| 200 students
The Webb Schools
The Webb Schools Photo - Webb enjoys a 100% admit rate to selective 4-year colleges and universities.
(29)
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 482-5214
Grades: 9-12
| 405 students
Woodside Priory School (Priory)
Woodside Priory School (Priory) Photo - Woodside Priory is a Benedictine Catholic, independent college preparatory school. Founded by Hungarian monks in 1957, Priory has been an international school from its very beginning.
(Catholic)
(2)
302 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-8223
Grades: 9-12
6-12 (day)
| 375 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many boarding schools are located in California?
There are 18 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 $61,070 per year.
What is the oldest boarding school in California?
The Thacher School, founded in 1889, 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 (13%) in California.
What boarding school in California has the highest average SAT scores?
The Webb Schools has the highest average SAT scores (1500) in California.

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