Private High Schools in the Los Angeles Area 

This includes information on some of the more known 25 schools, from a broader set of 330 schools.

Most Commonly Reviewed Schools 

1. Loyola High School of Los Angeles  

Loyola is a boys’ college-preparatory school serving grades 9–12 in Los Angeles, with approximately 1,300 students and a 15:1 student–teacher ratio.  

The parent commentary emphasizes a strong sense of brotherhood: one reviewer described a son who was challenged, engaged, and formed lifelong friendships. For families considering Loyola, the key question is whether its Catholic, all-boys environment and larger student body will feel motivating and supportive for their student.

2. TVT Community Day School  

TVT Community Day School is a PK–12 school in Irvine with about 830 students and a 5:1 student–teacher ratio. It has an especially active parent and alumni community.

A parent described six years at the school as a wonderful experience, emphasizing that their student was cared for and encouraged to become their best self. Families exploring TVT should look closely at how its community values, academic expectations, and K–12 continuity appear in daily student life.

3. Harvard-Westlake School  

Harvard-Westlake serves grades 7–12 in Studio City and enrolls approximately 1,620 students, making it one of the larger secondary-school communities in this group. It has a 7:1 student–teacher ratio 

A parent praised the school after their daughter’s first year, describing a positive experience for both the student and family. The school may appeal to students seeking academic depth, broad extracurricular options, and a sizable peer network; families should also ask how advising and wellness support help students navigate a demanding environment.

4. Westridge School  

Westridge is a girls’ school in Pasadena serving grades 4–12. With roughly 550 students, a 7:1 ratio, it offers a relatively small setting with a dedicated single-gender educational model.

A parent said that after a daughter’s first middle-school year, the family felt even more confident in its decision, citing academic rigor alongside character and collaboration. The featured perspective suggests that Westridge’s appeal is not limited to achievement: its culture also emphasizes how students learn and work together.

5. Marlborough School  

Marlborough is an all-girls school in Los Angeles serving grades 7–12. It has about 530 students, a 7:1 student–teacher ratio 

A junior described the all-girls setting favorably, saying she could express herself more freely than she believed she would at a coeducational school. Families considering Marlborough should explore whether its student culture, academic pace, and opportunities for leadership match what their student wants from the high-school years.

6. Sierra Canyon School  

Sierra Canyon is a PK–12 school in Chatsworth with approximately 1,219 students and a 9:1 student–teacher ratio. 

A parent wrote that their daughter was known, valued, and supported as an individual rather than expected to fit a predetermined mold. That theme is important for families: investigate how personalization works in a school of more than 1,200 students, especially in the upper grades.

7. Campbell Hall  

Campbell Hall is a K–12 school in Studio City with about 1,157 students and a 7:1 student–teacher ratio.  

One parent described a daughter’s experience from eighth grade onward as fantastic, specifically mentioning student journalism, the CREW program, tennis, and performing arts. This points to a school where a student can build an identity through several avenues—not only through academics.

8. The Webb Schools  

The Webb Schools serve grades 9–12 in Claremont and enroll approximately 405 students, with a 6:1 student–teacher ratio.  

An alum offered a nuanced perspective: while acknowledging expense and frustrations with administrative inflexibility, the reviewer also described the experience through the lens of being a lower-income student. This is a reminder to read beyond star ratings. Families should ask candid questions about affordability, financial aid, communication practices, and how the school supports students from different economic backgrounds.

9. Viewpoint School  

Viewpoint is a PK–12 school in Calabasas with about 1,108 students and a 5:1 student–teacher ratio.  

A junior characterized the school as strong in both academics and inclusiveness, adding that student health and well-being are prioritized. This may make Viewpoint particularly appealing to families seeking ambitious academics alongside visible attention to student experience and wellness.

10. Flintridge Preparatory School  

Flintridge Prep serves grades 7–12 in La Cañada Flintridge. Its enrollment is about 530 students, its student–teacher ratio is 7:1

A featured alum described the experience as unusually personal in an era when education can feel indifferent or standardized. For prospective families, the practical question is whether the school truly delivers that individual attention through advising, teacher accessibility, classroom discussion, and support during demanding academic periods.

 

Strong Community Feedback

11. Chadwick School  

Chadwick is a K–12 school on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with approximately 862 students and an 8:1 ratio. 

A sophomore praised the school’s distinctive community while also identifying a potential drawback: relatively few students in each grade. That tradeoff is worth considering. Smaller grade cohorts can produce close friendships and more personal attention, but may offer fewer social pathways for students who are still finding their people.

12. Windward School  

Windward serves grades 7–12 in Los Angeles, with approximately 625 students and a notably low 5:1 student–teacher ratio.  

The featured freshman review is more restrained than many others in this guide, describing the school as better “in theory than in execution” and wishing that teachers and students showed greater effort. That candid criticism is useful. It suggests families should ask current students about classroom engagement, consistency across teachers, and how the school responds when students raise concerns.

13. Polytechnic School  

Polytechnic is a K–12 school in Pasadena with about 872 students and a 7:1 student–teacher ratio.  

A sophomore characterized Polytechnic as rigorous and well-rounded, highlighting critical thinking, independence, and intellectual growth. They also noted that classes can be especially challenging in areas such as math. Students who enjoy academic challenge may thrive, while families should still ask how workload is managed and what support is available when classes become difficult.

14. Sage Hill School  

Sage Hill serves grades 7–12 in Newport Coast and enrolls approximately 700 students. It has a 7:1 student–teacher ratio 

A parent praised the athletic experience, noting that their son participated in varsity football and varsity soccer as a freshman and had exceptional coaching support. The review highlights a useful consideration for student-athletes: beyond whether a school has teams, ask whether students can join, develop, and participate meaningfully from the beginning of high school.

15. Brentwood School  

Brentwood is a K–12 school in Los Angeles with roughly 1,252 students and a 9:1 student–teacher ratio.  

A parent said the school sees and values each child as an individual, describing teachers who know students well, offer personalized support, and set high expectations. The combination of a large campus and individualized attention is an appealing promise; families should ask students how that experience plays out beyond admissions materials and in everyday classrooms.

16. New Covenant Academy  

New Covenant Academy is a K–12 school in Los Angeles with about 146 students and a 9:1 student–teacher ratio. 

A staff reviewer described feeling welcomed and valued from the moment they joined the community. This is not the same viewpoint as a student or parent review, but it can still offer a useful window into workplace climate and the school’s stated emphasis on community. Families should explore how that environment is experienced by students across grade levels.

17. Pilgrim School  

Pilgrim is a PK–12 school in Los Angeles with roughly 373 students, a 6:1 student–teacher ratio 

An alum called Pilgrim a truly special place where teachers and administrators genuinely care about every student, adding that their closest friendships remain connected to the school. For families considering a smaller K–12 setting, this feedback points toward community continuity and long-term relationships as central strengths.

18. Oakwood School  

Oakwood is a K–12 school in North Hollywood with approximately 840 students and an 8:1 student–teacher ratio. 

A parent said that choosing Oakwood had a major positive impact on their family and that their only regret was not finding it earlier. It is a powerful endorsement, but families should use a visit to identify the specifics behind that sentiment: class culture, faculty relationships, artistic opportunities, student support, and the experience of transitioning into the upper school.

 

Also Notable  

19. St. Margaret’s Episcopal School — 

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is a PK–12 campus in San Juan Capistrano with approximately 1,234 students and an 8:1 student–teacher ratio.  

The featured parent comment is brief and personal: they caught their eight-year-old daughter teaching phonics to her younger brother. While it is only one anecdote, it points to a family’s perception that their child is gaining confidence and sharing what she learns. Families should explore the upper-school experience separately, including academic pathways, advising, student life, and service opportunities.

20. Wildwood School  

Wildwood is a K–12 school in Los Angeles with about 728 students and a 4:1 student–teacher ratio.  

A parent described an exciting period of transition, referencing a new head of school and a new middle/upper-school campus under development. They also praised the school’s progressive educational approach. For interested families, this is an opportunity and a question mark: ask how leadership and campus changes are affecting students now, not only what is planned for the future.

21. Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences  

Crossroads is a K–12 school in Santa Monica with approximately 1,201 students and a 7:1 student–teacher ratio. 

An alum said they had an extremely positive time at the school and hoped it would continue building the next generation. The comment is broad, but it aligns with a school identity often associated with creativity, student voice, and interdisciplinary exploration. Families should ask students what those values look like in actual coursework, arts programming, discussions, and campus culture.

22. Southwestern Academy  

Southwestern Academy in San Marino serves grades 6–12. It has approximately 86 students, a 7:1 student–teacher ratio 

A senior described the school as life-changing and highlighted the opportunity to spend a year abroad. Small enrollment can create individualized attention and a tight community, while also making it essential to understand the scope of courses, activities, social life, and college counseling available to each student.

23. Elite Open School  

Elite Open School in Rowland Heights serves grades 3–12, has approximately 90 students, and reports a 5:1 student–teacher ratio. Very high parent raings.

An alum said the school gave them access to courses unavailable at their previous high school and supported them in becoming a stronger college applicant. The featured experience suggests a flexible, individualized option. Families should ask how course customization works, how students build peer relationships, and how college advising is delivered.

24. Oak Crest Academy – Pomona  

Oak Crest Academy–Pomona is a very small PK–12 school with approximately 72 students and a 3:1 student–teacher ratio. Very high parent raings.

A parent praised the care and support their child received while adjusting to a new country and educational system. This perspective suggests a potentially high-touch environment, especially for students who need individualized academic or transition support. Its smaller review pool means that a flawless rating should be considered alongside direct conversations with current families and staff.

25. Pacific Academy – Irvine  

Pacific Academy–Irvine is a K–12 school with roughly 165 students and a 4:1 student–teacher ratio. 

A sophomore described it as a strong college-preparation school with curriculum flexibility, but said that focus was its principal attraction. This measured review can help families ask the right questions: Is the student looking primarily for academic customization and college preparation, or do they also need a larger range of athletics, arts, clubs, and social experiences?

 

Choosing the Right Fit

The number of reviews is not a measure of educational quality. Larger schools, older schools, and schools with more active family communities often generate more feedback, while smaller schools can have much lower review totals despite enthusiastic ratings.

When creating a shortlist, focus on the factors that shape a student’s daily experience:

• Academic challenge and the availability of support when coursework becomes demanding

• Teacher accessibility, advisory systems, and student wellness resources

• The size and social character of each grade cohort

• Arts, athletics, clubs, leadership, travel, and service opportunities

• Commute time and the practical impact of after-school commitments

• Whether a K–12, 7–12, 9–12, coeducational, single-gender, faith-based, or personalized model fits the student

The strongest choice is the school where the student can realistically be challenged, supported, included, and excited to participate every day.