There are approximately 400 private schools throughout Orange County. From faith-based programs to college prep, there are options available for families with a variety of educational goals for their children. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, many schools are now offering virtual programming and home education alternatives to accommodate the interests and health of their families.
Browse summer camps and classes for your kids once the school year is out.
Orange County Private Schools by City
Why Choose Private School?
There are many reasons families may opt for private school over traditional public schools. Some families seek private education for a more challenging education, while others feel the private school model helps inspire a love of learning. Smaller class sizes and personalized learning, development of moral character, better social and emotional support and development, and preparation for college are among common reasons families choose private schools over public schools.
Types of Private Schools
Faith-based and Parochial: Structure and curriculum generally revolves around religious affiliation such as Catholic, Christian, or Lutheran and many are directly related to a community church.
Traditional: Usually operated as a for-profit business or run by private foundations or nonprofit organizations.
Montessori: Generally for preschool through 8th grade, Montessori programs emphasize individualized learning and learning through play and exploration.
Check for Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that educational institutions are meeting or exceeding the minimum quality standards. While it may not be as important in the early years, if your educational goals are college-focused, it’s important that high school transcripts come from reputable, accredited schools.
WASC, or Western Association of Schools and Colleges, is the most common accreditation organization in this area. They accredit over 4,500 preschools through universities including public, private, and faith-based schools. WASC accreditation encourages improvement and excellence by establishing research-based criteria and challenging institutions to meet their high-quality standards to create outstanding learning environments for students and staff.
School Tour Tips and Questions to Ask
Before your family makes a final decision regarding what school to attend, you’ll want to schedule a tour of your top contenders. Request a tour during class time so you can see the staff and students in action. Many schools will allow your students to attend for the day as well…take the opportunity to sit with your child in class and experience the classroom setting, the other children in the school community, and the teacher-student interactions. These experiences will help determine if the school is the right fit for your child.
During your campus tour, you’ll have the opportunity to interview the principal or director. Here are a few questions you may consider asking:
- What is your school’s philosophy and how is it applied in the classroom and throughout the school community?
- What is your safety policy and how are safety measures implemented around the campus?
- How do you select staff members and how are they vetted and background checked?
- What curriculum is used?
- What are your homework policies?
- What are your discipline policies?
- What are you student to teacher ratios and what is your maximum class size? What is the current average class size?
- Do you offer extracurricular activities after school, and if so, what are they? Are they included in tuition or is there an extra out-of-pocket cost for extracurriculars?
- How do students use technology in the classroom? Is there a STEM program incorporated into the curriculum?
- How do you measure student achievement and progress?
- Are parents involved in the school community? How can parents participate? Are parents background checked before being allowed to interact in-class with students?
- Are parents required to commit to volunteer or service hours?
- What are the tuition and registration fees? Are there additional costs or fees with each grade level?
- Is financial aid or tuition assistance available?
Athletics Programs
If athletics is important to you, be sure to ask about the programs that are offered through the school. Some schools may have limited options for younger grades, while schools with high school students have more well-rounded and competitive athletics programs. If you have an athletic student, consider meeting with the coaches or directors of sports programs to determine if it is a good fit for your student.
List of Private Schools in Orange County
Aliso Viejo Private Schools
Aliso Viejo Christian School
Junior Kinder through 8th Grade
1 Orion
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-389-0300
Discovery Prep School
Grades 6 through 12
2 Liberty
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-614-0199
Futures Academy
Aliso Viejo Campus
120 Vantis Drive, Suite 100
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
888-425-7876
St. Mary’s School
Pre-K through 8th Grade
7 Pursuit
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-448-9027
VanDamme Academy
K-8
2A Liberty
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-510-4861
Anaheim Private Schools
Acaciawood Preparatory Academy
Elementary – High School
2530 W. La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92801
714-995-1800
Anaheim Hills Montessori School
Preschool – Elementary
6274 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
Anaheim, CA 92807
714-283-5858
Connelly High School *permanently closed
9th – 12th Grade
2323 W Broadway
Anaheim, CA 92804
714-776-1717
Fairmont Private Schools
Anaheim Hills
Preschool – 8th Grade
5300 E La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807
Fairmont Prep Academy
9th – 12th Grade
2200 W Sequoia Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801
Historic Anaheim
Preschool – 8th Grade
1557 W Mable Street, Anaheim, CA 92802
Futures Academy
Anaheim Hills Location
3111 N. Tustin Street, Suite 240
Orange, CA 92865
Hephatha Lutheran School
5900 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
714-637 0887
Hillsborough Private School
PK, K-8
191 S Old Springs Rd
Anaheim, CA 92808
714) 998-9030
Independence Christian School
Preschool – Middle School
4905 E La Palma Avenue
Anaheim, California, 92807
714-970-7009
Montessori Academy of Anaheim
Preschool, Grades K-3
515 North State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92806
714-776-0605
Orange County Christian School
Preschool – High school
Homeschool Option
641 S. Western Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92804
Servite High School
Grades 9-12
1952 W La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92801
714-774-7575
St. Catherine’s Academy
Transitional Kindergarten to 8th Grade
215 N. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim California 92805
714772-1363
St. Justin Martyr School
PK, K-8
2030 W Ball Rd
Anaheim, CA 92804
714-772-4902
Zion Lutheran School
K-8
1244 E. Cypress Street
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-535-3600
Brea Private Schools
Christ Lutheran School Brea
Preschool-8th Grade
820 W. Imperial Hwy
Brea CA 92821
714-529-0892
Heights Christian Schools – Brea Campus
Transitional Kindergarten through 4th grade
200 S Associated Rd
Brea, CA 92821
714-990-8780
St. Angela Merici Parish School
K-8
575 S Walnut Ave
Brea, CA 92821
714-529-6372
Buena Park Private Schools
St. Pius V Catholic School
PK, K-8
7681 Orangethorpe Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90621
714-522-5313
Costa Mesa Private Schools
Christ Lutheran School
PK, K-8
760 Victoria Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-548-6866
International Montessori Academy of Costa Mesa
Primary, K-6th
381 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92627
Mariners Christian School
TK – 8th Grade
300 Fischer Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-437-1700
Montessori Harbor-Mesa School
Preschool & Elementary School
3025 Deodar Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-549-3803
Pacific Academy
Costa Mesa Campus
Kinder through 6
2987 Mesa Verde Drive E
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Page Academy
Infants through 8th Grade
657 Victoria Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-642-0411
Renascence School International
Preschool, K-12
2987 Mesa Verde Drive East
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-783-7070
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
K-8
1021 Baker Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714) 557-5060
Waldorf School of Orange County
Preschool through High School
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-574-7775
Cypress Private Schools
Grace Christian School
PK, K-8
4545 Myra Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
714-761-5200
St. Irenaeus Parish School
PK, K-8
9201 Grindlay Street
Cypress, CA 90630
714-827-4500
Dana Point Private Schools
Monarch Bay Montessori Academy
Preschool – 8th Grade
33866 Calle La Primavera
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-496-1241
St. Edward the Confessor Parish School
PK, K-4
32920 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-240-3344
Fountain Valley Private Schools
Fountain Valley Montessori Center
PK, K-4
18410 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-593–8333
Fullerton Private Schools
Arborland Montessori
Infant – 8th Grade
Hughes Dr. Campus
2121 Hughes Drive
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-871-3111
Infant – 8th Grade
Valencia Dr. Campus
1700 W. Valencia Drive
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-871-2311
Eastside Christian Schools
Kindergarten through 12th Grade
1701 West Valencia Drive
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-253-4556
Ivycrest Montessori – Fullerton Campus
Preschool – 6th Grade
2025 E. Chapman Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-879-6091
Rosary High School
High School
1340 N Acacia Ave
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-879-6302
St. Juliana Catholic School
K-8
1320 North Acacia Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-871-2829
Stepping Stones Academy
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
3401 N Harbor Blvd.
Fullerton CA 92835
714-525-7000
Wisdom Mission School
Grades 6-12
4100 W. Commonwealth Ave. #202
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-995-1900
Garden Grove Private Schools
Olive Crest Academy
PK, K-12
13082 Bowen Street
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-620-7580
Orangewood Academy
Preschool through High School
13732 Clinton Street
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-534-4694
Huntington Beach Private Schools
Carden Conservatory
Preschool – 8th Grade
Virtual/Remote Education Options
5702 Clark Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Fusion Academy
Huntington Beach Campus
6th – 12th Grade
7711 Center Ave. Suite 120, Huntington Beach, CA
Futures Academy
Huntington Beach Campus
2100 Main Street, Suite 260
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Hebrew Academy
PK, K-12
14401 Willow Ln
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-898-0051
Huntington Christian School
Main Campus
9700 Levee Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-477-1212
Preschool
1207 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Liberty Christian School
PK, K-12
7661 Warner Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-842-5992
The Pegasus School
PreK through 8th Grade
19692 Lexington Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-964-1224
St. Bonaventure School
TK – 8th Grade
16390 Springdale Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Irvine Private Schools
Crean Lutheran High School
12500 Sand Canyon Ave
Irvine, CA 92618
949-387-1199
Mardan School
1-12
1 Osborn
Irvine, CA 92604
949-733-1500
Pacific Academy
Irvine Campus
Kinder through 12
4947 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604
949-398-5288
Soteric Academy
Grades 7 – 12
2727 Campus Drive
Irvine, CA 92615
949-209-1692
TVT Community Day School
PK-12
5 Federation Way
Irvine, CA 92603
949-509-9500
La Habra Private Schools
Whittier Christian School
9-12
501 N. Beach Blvd
La Habra, CA 90631
562-694-3803
La Palma Private Schools
Semita School
Grades 7 – 12
6 Centerpointe Drive #700
La Palma, CA
714-367-8688
Laguna Beach Private Schools
Anneliese Schools
Aliso Campus
Nursery & Kindergarten
21542 Wesley Drive, Laguna Beach, CA
949-499-2331
Manzanita Campus
Kindergarten 1st – 3rd Grade
758 Manzanita Drive, Laguna Beach, CA
949-494-7388
Willowbrook Campus
Nursery – 6th grade
20062 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA
949-497-8310
Laguna Hills Private Schools
New Vista School
Special Education, 6-12
23092 Mill Creek Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-455-1270
Pathway School
1st Grade through 9th
23802 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-837-1203
Laguna Niguel Private Schools
St. Anne School
PK, K-8
32451 Bear Brand Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949-276-6700
Laguna Woods Private Schools
The Geneva School
PK, K-12
24301 El Toro Rd
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
949-377-1616
Lake Forest Private Schools
Heritage Christian School
Junior High & High School Campus
23302 El Torro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-446-8133
Los Alamitos Private Schools
St. Hedwig Catholic School
Grades K-8
3591 Orangewood Ave.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562-296-9060
Mission Viejo Private Schools
Fusion Academy
Mission Viejo Campus
Grades 6-12
23456 Madero Suite 140, Mission Viejo, CA
949-716-7384
Heritage Christian School
Preschool & Elementary Campus
22081 Hidalgo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-598-9166
Mission Viejo Christian School
K-8
24701 San Doval Ln
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-465-1950
Stratford School
PK, K-8
24741 Chrisanta Dr
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-877-8430
Newport Beach Private Schools
Carden Hall
K-8
1541 Monrovia Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-645-1773
Harbor Day School
K-8
3443 Pacific View Dr
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
949-640-1410
International Montessori Academy of Newport Beach
Primary, K-6th
2950 McClintock Way
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Futures Academy
Newport Beach/Irvine Campus
18881 Von Karman Ave, Suite 900
Irvine, CA 92612
Newport Christian School
TK through 12th Grade
1000 Bison Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-760-5485
Pacifica Christian High School
883 West 15th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-887-2070
Sage Hill School
High School
20402 Newport Coast Drive
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949-219-0100
Orange Private Schools
Covenant Christian School
Preschool through 8th Grade
1855 N. Orange-Olive Road
Orange, CA 92865
714-998-4852
International School Of Orange County
Preschool – 8th Grade
1838 N. Shaffer Street
Orange, CA 92865
Oakridge Private School
TK – 8th Grade
19111 Villa Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
714-288-1432
Orange Lutheran High School
Grades 9-12
2222 N. Santiago Blvd
Orange, CA 92867
714-998-5151
Salem Lutheran
Preschool through 8th Grade
6500 E. Santiago Canyon Road
Orange, CA 92869
714-639-1946
St. John’s Lutheran School
Preschool through 8th Grade
154 S Shaffer St
Orange, CA 92866
714-288-4406
St. Norbert Catholic School
PK, K-8
300 East Taft Avenue
Orange, California
714-637-6822
Placentia Private Schools
St. Joseph Catholic School
Grades TK – 8
801 N. Bradford Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
714-528-1794
Rancho Santa Margarita Private Schools
Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School
PK, K-8
29582 Aventura
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-589-4504
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Grades 9-12
22062 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-766-6000
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School
PK, K-8
23652 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita , CA 92688
949-888-1990
San Clemente Private Schools
San Clemente Christian School
Grades TK – 8
1020 Calle Recodo
San Clemente, CA 92673
949-496-3513
St. Michael’s Christian Academy
Grades K-8
107 W. Marquita
San Clemente, CA 92672
949-366-9468
Our Lady of Fatima Academy
Grades TK – 8
105 N Esperanza
San Clemente, CA 92672
949-492-7320
San Juan Capistrano Private Schools
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
PreK – 12th Grade
32032 Del Obispo Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-493-5683
Fairmont Private Schools
San Juan Capistrano
Preschool – 12th Grade
26333 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
JSerra Catholic High School
26351 Junipero Serra Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-493-9307
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Preschool through High School
31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-661-0108
Stoneybrooke Christian School
PK, K-8
26300 Via Escolar
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92692
949-364-4407
Santa Ana Private Schools
Bethel Baptist School
PK, K-12
901 S. Euclid St.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714-839-3600
Calvary Chapel High School
3800 S. Fairview
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714-662-7485
Calvary Christian School
PK, K-12
1010 N. Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-973-2056
Mater Dei High School
9th-12th Grade
1202 W Edinger Ave
Santa Ana, CA 92707
714-754-7711
Seal Beach Private Schools
Stanton Private Schools
Tustin Private Schools
Fairmont Private Schools
North Tustin
Preschool – 8th Grade
12421 Newport Avenue, North, Tustin, CA 92705
The Prentice School
Grades K-8: Specializes in students with language based learning differences and attentional challenges
18341 Lassen Drive
North Tustin, CA 92705
714-538-4511
Red Hill Lutheran School
PK, K-8
13200 Red Hill Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
714-544-3132
Spirit Christian Academy
TK through 12th Grade
1372 Irvine Blvd
Tustin, CA 92780
714-731-2630
St. Cecilia Catholic School
PK, K-8
1311 S.E. Sycamore
Tustin, CA 92780
714-544-1533
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School
16791 E Main St
Tustin, CA 92780
PK, K-8
714-542-4271
Villa Park Private Schools
No private schools located in Villa Park.
Westminster Private Schools
Bethany Christian Academy
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
13431 Edwards Street
Westminster, CA 92683
714-891-9783
Yorba Linda Private School
Heritage Oak
Preschool through 8th Grade
16971 Imperial Highway
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-524-1350