Phillip EdwinLos Angeles is home to an exceptional array of private high schools, consistently ranked among the best in California and the nation. These institutions are known for their rigorous academics, outstanding college placement records, and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
Schools like Harvard-Westlake and Marlborough are nationally recognized for sending graduates to Ivy League and top-tier universities. Many of these schools offer small class sizes, with student-teacher ratios as low as 3:1, ensuring personalized attention and a strong community environment.
Whether you seek a college-preparatory powerhouse, a school with a progressive arts focus, or a faith-based community, LA’s private high schools offer diverse pathways to success.
Top 20 Private High Schools in Los Angeles
1. Harvard-Westlake School
Located in Studio City, Harvard-Westlake is the #1 ranked private school in Los Angeles with an A+ Niche grade. It serves grades 7-12 with 1,620 students and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $54,900 annually, and the average SAT score is 1470. In 2025-26, graduates matriculated to Stanford (17), Yale (12), and multiple Ivy League schools.
2. Windward School
Windward School in Mar Vista is a top-ranked private high school with an A+ Niche grade. It serves grades 7-12 with 625 students and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $58,101 annually. The school is known for its strong college-preparatory curriculum and supportive community environment.
3. Flintridge Preparatory School
Located in La Cañada Flintridge, Flintridge Prep is a top-10 private high school in LA County with an A+ Niche grade. It serves grades 7-12 with 530 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $53,750 annually. The school is known for its rigorous academics and strong college placement.
4. Marlborough School
Marlborough School is an all-girls independent school in Hancock Park serving grades 7-12 with 558 students and a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $57,850 annually. The school has an A+ Niche grade and ranks among the top private high schools in LA. It offers a special program emphasis and strong college-preparatory education.
5. Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Located in Santa Monica, Crossroads is a top-ranked private school with an A+ Niche grade serving grades K-12 with 1,202 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $55,489 annually. The school is known for its strong arts programs and progressive, inquiry-based learning approach.
6. Sierra Canyon School
Located in Chatsworth, Sierra Canyon serves grades Pre-K through 12 with 1,200 students and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $48,600 annually, and the school has an A+ Niche grade. It is a college-preparatory school known for strong athletics and modern facilities. Sierra Canyon offers a comprehensive curriculum preparing students for higher education.
7. Chadwick School
Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Chadwick serves grades K-12 with 861 students and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $53,760 annually, and the school has an A+ Niche grade. It is known for its strong academic programs and beautiful coastal campus.
8. Westridge School
Westridge is an all-girls school in Pasadena serving grades 4-12 with 550 students and a 5:1 student-teacher ratio. It has an A+ Niche grade and tuition around $42,000 annually. Westridge is a leader in STEM education for girls and emphasizes critical thinking and intellectual growth.
9. Brentwood School
Located in Brentwood, this school serves grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and tuition ranging from $47,545 to $55,700 plus fees. The school is known for its robust academic offerings, strong sports program, and the Belldegrun Center for Innovative Leadership focusing on design and entrepreneurship.
10. Polytechnic School
Located in Pasadena, Polytechnic is an A+ Niche school serving grades K-12 with 872 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is approximately $42,000 annually. The school emphasizes critical thinking, independence, and intellectual growth, with particularly strong mathematics and science programs.
11. The Archer School for Girls
Located in Brentwood, Archer serves grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and tuition of $52,720 plus $4,600 fees. Founded in 1995, Archer is dedicated to educating the next generation of female leaders with a motto of ambitious, joyful learning. The school offers 150 course offerings and 11 varsity sports.
12. Campbell Hall
Located in Studio City, Campbell Hall serves grades K-12 with 1,157 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition ranges from $46,160 to $54,100 plus fees. The school is academically strong and prioritizes balance and well-being, with a student-produced weekly show called The Morning Show.
13. Marymount High School
Marymount is an independent Catholic all-girls school in Los Angeles serving grades 9-12 with 345 students and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $42,700 annually, and the school offers 21 AP courses. It has an A+ Niche grade and is known for its mission-driven, ethical education rooted in academic excellence and spiritual development.
14. The Webb Schools
Located in Claremont, Webb is an A+ Niche school serving grades 9-12 with 401 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is approximately $48,000 for day students and $68,000 for boarding. Webb offers a unique boarding and day school experience with a focus on academic excellence and character development.
15. Loyola High School of Los Angeles
Loyola is an all-boys Jesuit Catholic school in Los Angeles serving grades 9-12 with 1,260 students and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. It has an A+ Niche grade and is one of the top-ranked private schools in LA. The school is known for its rigorous academics, strong athletic programs, and commitment to service and faith formation.
16. Oak Crest Academy
Located in Pomona, Oak Crest is a top-ranked private high school in LA County with an A+ Niche grade. It has 72 students and tuition of $46,000 annually. The school is known for its small, personalized learning environment and strong college-preparatory curriculum.
17. The Buckley School
Located in Sherman Oaks, Buckley serves grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and tuition from $48,250 to $56,800 plus fees. The 92-year-old institution is built on founder Isabelle Buckley’s Four-Fold Plan emphasizing academics, arts, athletics, and ethical education. Alumni include Laura Dern and Paris Hilton.
18. Sage Hill School
Located in Newport Coast, Sage Hill serves grades 9-12 with 700 students and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition is $58,100 annually, and the school has an A+ Niche grade. It is a college-preparatory school known for strong academics and beautiful campus facilities.
19. Viewpoint School
Located in Calabasas, Viewpoint is an A+ Niche school serving grades K-12 with 1,102 students and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. It is known for its comprehensive academic programs, strong arts, and extensive extracurricular offerings. Viewpoint prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
20. International School of Los Angeles (LILA)
LILA offers a bilingual French-English education with multiple campuses across Los Angeles. The high school program is located at the Burbank campus and offers both the French Baccalaureate and IB Diploma programs. Students can choose between these two rigorous, globally recognized curricula, with graduates attending top universities worldwide.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Grades | Approx. Tuition | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard-Westlake School | 7–12 | $54,900 | #1 in LA, avg SAT 1470, Ivy+ placement |
| 2 | Windward School | 7–12 | $58,101 | 6:1 ratio, top-ranked A+ |
| 3 | Flintridge Preparatory School | 7–12 | $53,750 | 7:1 ratio, strong college placement |
| 4 | Marlborough School | 7–12 | $57,850 | All-girls, special program emphasis |
| 5 | Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences | K–12 | $55,489 | Strong arts and progressive education |
| 6 | Sierra Canyon School | PK–12 | $48,600 | Sports powerhouse, modern facilities |
| 7 | Chadwick School | K–12 | $53,760 | Coastal campus, strong academics |
| 8 | Westridge School | 4–12 | ~$42,000 | All-girls STEM leader |
| 9 | Brentwood School | K–12 | $47,545–$55,700 | Design and entrepreneurship center |
| 10 | Polytechnic School | K–12 | ~$42,000 | Strong math and science programs |
| 11 | Archer School for Girls | 6–12 | $52,720 + fees | All-girls, 150 course offerings |
| 12 | Campbell Hall | K–12 | $46,160–$54,100 | Balance and well-being focus |
| 13 | Marymount High School | 9–12 | $42,700 | Catholic all-girls, 21 AP courses |
| 14 | The Webb Schools | 9–12 | $48,000–$68,000 | Boarding option, character development |
| 15 | Loyola High School | 9–12 | Varies | All-boys Jesuit, service focus |
| 16 | Oak Crest Academy | Varies | $46,000 | Small personalized learning |
| 17 | The Buckley School | K–12 | $48,250–$56,800 | Four-Fold Plan: academics, arts, athletics, ethics |
| 18 | Sage Hill School | 9–12 | $58,100 | 6:1 ratio, college-prep |
| 19 | Viewpoint School | K–12 | Varies | Comprehensive academics and arts |
| 20 | International School of Los Angeles | PK–12 | Varies | French Baccalaureate and IB options |
Success Tips for Application
Start your research early, as top private high schools like Harvard-Westlake have application deadlines in the fall for the following academic year. Most schools require a multi-step application process including interviews, essays, teacher recommendations, and transcripts.
Be aware that Harvard-Westlake’s acceptance rate is approximately 15%, making it highly selective.
For all-girls schools like Archer or Marymount, demonstrate how you would contribute to their unique mission of empowering young women.
Visit campuses and attend open houses to get a firsthand feel for the school culture and meet teachers and administrators. Review each school’s student-teacher ratio, as smaller ratios like 8:1 at Harvard-Westlake provide more individualized attention.
Consider financial aid options, as many schools like Harvard-Westlake offer aid to families who qualify, with 20% of students receiving financial assistance.
Closing
Los Angeles provides an impressive range of private high schools, from the nationally top-ranked Harvard-Westlake to specialized schools for arts, STEM, and bilingual education. Whether you prioritize academic excellence, progressive education, single-gender environments, or faith-based communities, there is a school in LA to meet your needs. These institutions consistently send graduates to top universities and offer unparalleled extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community service.
Note that all information, including tuition and deadlines, 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.