Phillip EdwinLos Angeles offers a rich and diverse landscape of private elementary education, featuring prestigious independent schools, faith-based institutions, and specialized programs.
The city’s top private elementary schools are recognized for their academic excellence, low student-teacher ratios, and strong community values. Schools like Berkeley Hall School and The Wesley School consistently receive A+ Niche grades for their nurturing environments and rigorous curricula.
Whether you are seeking a school with a progressive educational philosophy, a strong arts program, or a faith-based community, LA’s private elementary schools provide a variety of opportunities to prepare students for future academic success.
Top 20 Private Elementary Schools In Los Angeles
1. Berkeley Hall School
Located in Los Angeles, Berkeley Hall School serves grades Pre-K through 8 with 260 students and an impressive 8:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has an A+ Niche grade and annual tuition of $45,500. Parents praise the caring teachers and staff who know every child personally, and the school’s focus on social-emotional learning helps students develop strong character alongside academic excellence.
2. The Wesley School
The Wesley School is a K-8 independent school in Los Angeles with 316 students and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. It has an A+ Niche grade and annual tuition of $38,020. Parents describe it as a hidden gem of LA’s independent school scene, with a profound commitment to each child’s emotional and ethical development. Small class sizes with two teachers per classroom ensure individualized attention.
3. St. Paul The Apostle School
Located in Westwood, St. Paul The Apostle serves grades K-8 with a Catholic foundation and is one of the top-ranked private elementary schools in the Westwood area. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic rigor, with a curriculum that integrates Catholic values into daily learning. It is accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
4. Sinai Akiba Academy
Sinai Akiba Academy is a private Jewish day school in Westwood serving early childhood through eighth grade with 755 students and a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. The school offers a play-based early childhood program and integrates Judaic and general studies through a rigorous academic curriculum. It is one of the top-ranked private elementary schools in Westwood.
5. Geffen Academy At UCLA
Located in Westwood, Geffen Academy serves grades 6-11 with 471 students and is affiliated with the prestigious UCLA campus. The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum that leverages its connection to the university, providing unique academic opportunities for students. It is one of the top-ranked private elementary schools in the Westwood area.
6. The Oaks School
The Oaks School is an independent, progressive K-6 school in Hollywood established in 1986 with a constructivist, inquiry-based approach to learning. The school emphasizes anti-bias education and prepares students to be informed leaders in a multicultural world. Its inclusive and personalized environment is fueled by the belief that the joy of childhood and learning go hand in hand.
7. International School of Los Angeles – Los Feliz
This campus of the International School of Los Angeles serves preschool through 5th grade with 424 students and a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. It offers a bilingual French-English education following the French Ministry of Education program. The school fosters global citizenship from a young age with two native-level teachers per class.
8. International School of Los Angeles – West Valley
This West Valley campus of LILA serves preschool through 5th grade with a bilingual French-English curriculum following French Ministry standards. The school is one of LILA’s multi-campus network and provides a rich international education that prepares students for the school’s upper-grade programs.
9. Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles
Founded in 1964, Le Lycée Français is a prestigious bilingual school serving grades 2-8 at its Overland Avenue campus. It offers a rigorous French-American curriculum leading to the French Baccalaureate and AP exams. The school emphasizes academic excellence and global citizenship, preparing students for top universities worldwide.
10. Marlborough School
Marlborough School is an all-girls school serving grades 7-12 in Central LA with 558 students and a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. It offers special program emphasis and is one of the top-ranked private schools in the Central LA neighborhood. The school provides a rigorous college-preparatory education with strong athletics and extracurricular programs.
11. Mirman School
Mirman School is an independent K-8 coeducational school in Los Angeles dedicated exclusively to the education of highly gifted children, a mission it has pursued since 1962. The school has 417 students and a 5.9:1 student-teacher ratio, using the Depth and Complexity Framework to challenge students academically. It is one of the few schools in LA with a specific focus on gifted education.
12. Westland School
Westland School is an independent K-6 elementary school founded in 1949 on a hillside Los Angeles campus. It is widely recognized as a pioneer in progressive education, using a social constructivist approach where students learn through inquiry and collaboration. The school focuses on developing critical thinking skills and a love of learning.
13. The Willows Community School
The Willows Community School is an independent preschool-through-8th grade day school in Los Angeles celebrating over 30 years of progressive education. The school follows a Reggio-inspired, project-based curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning and creativity. It offers a Spanish immersion program and has a strong focus on arts and social-emotional learning through its partnership with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
14. Sierra Canyon School
Sierra Canyon is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school serving students in grades Pre-K through 12 on two campuses in the Chatsworth area. The school is known for its strong academic programs and athletic achievements, with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for higher education.
15. Pilgrim School
Pilgrim School is an independent, college-preparatory school serving students from early education through grade 12, located in Los Angeles’s Koreatown. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers a comprehensive academic program with a focus on global citizenship. The school provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
16. John Thomas Dye School
John Thomas Dye is an independent elementary day school in Los Angeles founded in 1929, serving grades K-6. The academic program includes fine arts, competitive athletics, and an integrated STEM curriculum. The school has a long history of providing a well-rounded education with a strong emphasis on community values.
17. Westside Neighborhood School
Westside Neighborhood School is an independent preschool-through-8th grade day school in Los Angeles accredited by WASC, NAIS, CAIS, and CATDC. The school follows a Reggio-inspired, project-based curriculum that emphasizes creativity and hands-on learning. It provides a nurturing environment with a strong focus on social-emotional development.
18. Bridges Academy
Bridges Academy is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school serving grades 3-12 and an online high school for grades 9-12. The school serves gifted and twice-exceptional students, offering a specialized curriculum that addresses the unique learning needs of this population. It provides a supportive environment for students with learning differences.
19. Westmark School
Westmark School is an independent college-preparatory school in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles serving students in grades 2-12 who have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other diagnosed learning differences. With 217 students and a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, the school is one of the few in LA specifically dedicated to supporting students with language-based learning challenges.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Grades | Approx. Tuition | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley Hall School | Pre-K–8 | $45,500 | 8:1 ratio, A+ Niche grade |
| 2 | The Wesley School | K–8 | $38,020 | 6:1 ratio, A+ Niche grade |
| 3 | St. Paul The Apostle | K–8 | Varies | Catholic faith-based, Westwood top-ranked |
| 4 | Sinai Akiba Academy | PK–8 | Varies | Jewish day school, 755 students |
| 5 | Geffen Academy at UCLA | 6–11 | Varies | UCLA affiliation, college-prep |
| 6 | The Oaks School | K–6 | Varies | Progressive education, anti-bias focus |
| 7 | LILA Los Feliz | PK–5 | Varies | Bilingual French-English |
| 8 | LILA West Valley | PK–5 | Varies | Bilingual French-English |
| 9 | Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles | 2–8 | Varies | Prestigious French-American school |
| 10 | Marlborough School | 7–12 | Varies | All-girls, Central LA top-ranked |
| 11 | Mirman School | K–8 | Varies | Highly gifted education focus, 5.9:1 ratio |
| 12 | Westland School | K–6 | Varies | Progressive pioneer since 1949 |
| 13 | Willows Community School | PK–8 | Varies | Reggio-inspired, Yale EI partnership |
| 14 | Sierra Canyon School | Pre-K–12 | Varies | College-prep, two campuses |
| 15 | Pilgrim School | K–12 | Varies | Koreatown independent school |
| 16 | John Thomas Dye School | K–6 | Varies | Fine arts, STEM, founded 1929 |
| 17 | Westside Neighborhood School | PK–8 | Varies | Reggio-inspired, project-based |
| 18 | Bridges Academy | 3–12 | Varies | Gifted and twice-exceptional focus |
| 19 | Westmark School | 2–12 | Varies | Dyslexia and learning differences, 4:1 ratio |
Success Tips for Application
Start your research early by using resources like Niche and Private School Review to compare schools based on academics, test scores, and parent reviews.
Pay close attention to each school’s specific focus, whether it is progressive education, gifted education, bilingual instruction, or special education for learning differences.
For schools like Mirman or Westmark, verify that your child’s specific learning needs align with the school’s mission and programs. Consider visiting campuses and attending open houses to get a firsthand feel for the campus culture and meet teachers and administrators.
Review each school’s student-teacher ratio, as smaller ratios like 6:1 at Wesley and 8:1 at Berkeley Hall can provide more individualized attention. Also, factor in the school’s location and commute, as this can significantly impact your family’s daily routine.
Closing
Los Angeles provides an impressive range of private elementary schools, from nationally recognized independent schools like Berkeley Hall and The Wesley School to specialized programs for gifted students and those with learning differences.
Whether you prioritize academic excellence, progressive education, bilingual instruction, or a faith-based community, there is a school in LA to meet your child’s needs. By thoroughly researching each option, visiting campuses, and considering your child’s unique interests, you can find a private elementary school that will provide a strong academic foundation and a supportive environment for their development.
Note that all information, including tuition and rankings, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and reviewing websites like Niche and Private School Review.