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.
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
Acaciawood Preparatory Academy
Elementary – High School
2530 W. La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92801
714-995-1800
Aliso Viejo Christian School
Junior Kinder through 8th Grade
1 Orion
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-389-0300
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
Bethany Christian Academy
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
13431 Edwards Street
Westminster, CA 92683
714-891-9783
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
PreK – 12th Grade
32032 Del Obispo Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-493-5683
Carden Conservatory
Preschool – 8th Grade
Virtual/Remote Education Option
5702 Clark Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Christ Lutheran
Preschool – 8th Grade
760 Victoria Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-548-6866
Covenant Christian School
Preschool through 8th Grade
1855 N. Orange-Olive Road
Orange, CA 92865
714-998-4852
Eastside Christian Schools
Kindergarten through 12th Grade
1701 West Valencia Drive
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-253-4556
Emerson Choice Academy
Grades 6-12
4100 E. Walnut Avenue
Orange, CA 92869
714-633-4774
Fairmont Private Schools
Anaheim Hills
Preschool – 8th Grade
5300 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807
Historic Anaheim
Preschool – 8th Grade
1557 W Mable St, Anaheim, CA 92802
North Tustin
Preschool – 8th Grade
12421 Newport Avenue North, Tustin, CA 92705
San Juan Capistrano
Preschool – 12th Grade
26333 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Fusion Academy
Huntington Beach Campus
6th – 12th Grade
7711 Center Ave. Suite 120, Huntington Beach, CA
657-200-2300
Mission Viejo Campus
Grades 6-12
23456 Madero Suite 140, Mission Viejo, CA
949-716-7384
Futures Academy
3111 N. Tustin Street, Suite 240
Orange, CA 92865
2100 Main Street, Suite 260
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
25201 Paseo De Alicia, Suite 250
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
18881 Von Karman Ave, Suite 900
Irvine, CA 92612
Heritage Christian School
Preschool & Elementary Campus
22081 Hidalgo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-598-9166
Junior High & High School Campus
23302 El Torro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-446-8133
Heritage Oak
Preschool through 8th Grade
16971 Imperial Highway
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-524-1350
Huntington Christian School
9700 Levee Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-477-1212
International School Of Orange County
Preschool – 8th Grade
1838 N. Shaffer Street
Orange, CA 92865
JSerra Catholic High School
26351 Junipero Serra Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-493-9307
Mariners Christian School
TK – 8th Grade
300 Fischer Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-437-1700
Montessori Harbor-Mesa School
Elementary School: 3025 Deodar Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Preschool: 1701 West Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-549-3803
Newport Christian School
TK through 12th Grade
1000 Bison Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-760-5485
Oakridge Private School
TK – 8th Grade
19111 Villa Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
714-288-1432
Orange County Christian School
Preschool – High school
Homeschool Option
641 S. Western Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92804
Orange Lutheran High School
Grades 9-12
2222 N. Santiago Blvd
Orange, CA 92867
714-998-5151
Orangewood Academy
Preschool through High School
13732 Clinton Street
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-534-4694
Pacific Academy
Grades Kinder through 12
Online learning options
4947 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604
949-398-5288
Page Academy
Infants through 8th Grade
657 Victoria Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-642-0411
The Pegasus School
PreK through 8th Grade
19692 Lexington Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-964-1224
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
Saddleback Valley Christian School
Preschool through Highschool
26333 Oso Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-443-4050
Sage Hill School
High School
20402 Newport Coast Drive
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949-219-0100
Salem Lutheran
Preschool through 8th Grade
6500 E. Santiago Canyon Road
Orange, CA 92869
714-639-1946
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Grades 9-12
22062 Antonia Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-766-6000
Soteric Academy
Grades 7 – 12
102 Baker Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
949-209-1692
Spirit Christian Academy
TK through 12th Grade
1372 Irvine Blvd
Tustin, CA 92780
714-731-2630
St. Bonaventure School
TK – 8th Grade
16390 Springdale Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-661-0108
St. Mary’s School
7 Pursuit
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-448-9027
Waldorf School of Orange County
Preschool through High School
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-574-7775
