Get more detailed information on our featured private schools. These schools in Monterey County and Santa Cruz County are the best of the best and come highly recommended.
MONTEREY COUNTY SCHOOLS
All Saints School • asds.org • 831-624-9171
Since 1961, All Saints has been proud to provide an exceptional academic program that celebrates students from all faith backgrounds. The school cultivates confidence and kindness in its students as it fulfills its mission of preparing children for lifetimes of learning and service. With the belief that the foundations of a joyful and successful life begin with an extraordinary educational foundation, All Saints focuses solely on educating students in Preschool (beginning at age 3) through grade 8, and it is the only independent school in the Monterey/Salinas region to do so.
Chartwell School • chartwell.org • 831-394-3468
Chartwell School empowers bright students in grades K-12 with language-based learning differences, including dyslexia, by preparing them to thrive in college and careers. Chartwell School is one of only a few K-12 schools in California specifically designed to support these exceptional students.
Madonna del Sasso • mdsschool.com • 831-424-7813
Madonna del Sasso School, set in the heart of Salinas, has been educating students since 1957. We are a Preschool through 8th grade Parish School. At Madonna del Sasso School, we strive to help each graduate become a person of faith, a critical thinker, and an active member of the community.
Notre Dame School • notredamesalinas.org • 831-751-1850
Notre Dame High School is an all-girls Catholic, college-preparatory school located in Salinas, California with grades 9-12. With a rigorous academic program, a wide range of extracurricular activities and a faith-based environment, Notre Dame High School is proud to empower young women to lead extraordinary lives.
Palma School • palmaschool.org • 831-422-6391
Founded in 1951, Palma is a private, college-preparatory school for boys grades seven through 12, owned and operated by the Christian Brothers Institute of California. With rigorous academics, award-winning music and art programs, championship athletics, meaningful service to others, and a campus culture that fosters brotherhood, Palma is where boys of promise become men of character. Palma graduates are leaders in college and beyond.
Sacred Heart School • shschool.com • 831-771-1310
Since 1906, Sacred Heart School has been providing a co-ed quality Catholic education to students from preschool to grade 8.
San Carlos School • sancarlosschool.org • 831-375-1324
San Carlos School, a ministry of San Carlos Cathedral, has been educating students in and around the Monterey area for 122 years. San Carlos offers a high quality, Catholic education for students in grades TK - 8 by offering a rigorous and engaging curriculum that supports problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative exploration. In addition to language arts, science, math, social studies, and physical education, San Carlos School offers classes in technology, foreign language, music, art, library, and religion as well as the opportunity to participate in 14 extracurricular clubs and sports. Annual special events and community-wide service projects promote a welcoming and nurturing environment.
Santa Catalina School Upper School • santacatalina.org • 831-655-9356
Set against the scenic California coast in Monterey, Santa Catalina School is where you can discover the true you. Our boarding and day school is where inspired, powerful, active learning happens—in the classroom, on the field or the stage, and in the dorms. Catalina girls take ownership of their academics—including a marine ecology program that takes advantage of Monterey Bay—and they pursue their passions. True sisterhood creates a community that is fueled by curiosity, kindness, and confidence.
Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School PreK-8 • santacatalina.org • 831-655-9351
Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School is a coed school for students in PreKindergarten through eighth grade. An independent, Catholic school that welcomes students of all faiths. It’s a community that is fueled by passion, curiosity, and kindness. Santa Catalina teachers have a truly inspired approach to unlocking a love of learning. And the students are fearless and adventurous learners, who leave truly prepared for success in high school, college, and beyond.
Stevenson School • stevensonschool.org • 831-625-8300
Founded in 1952, Stevenson School is a selective co-educational boarding and day school with 750 students and 30 buildings on 50 acres of land and two campuses. The 500-student upper-division, comprised of grades 9-12, is located on the Pebble Beach Campus; the lower and middle divisions, totaling 250 students in grades PK-8, are located on the Carmel Campus.
York School • YORK.org • 831-372-7338
Since 1959, York School has created an exceptional college-prep experience for our youth; inspiring them to develop intellectual curiosity and preparing them to be passionate contributors in college and in life. We believe in building strong relationships that drive academic success in an inclusive and diverse community.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SCHOOLS
Kirby School • kirby.org • 831-423-0658
Kirby School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school with students in grades 6-12. For over 25 years, Kirby has challenged every student admitted to its program to discover and develop their unique strengths and interests. We offer a breadth of electives, clubs, arts, athletics, and beyond-the-classroom experiences that enhance creative thinking and support a growth mindset. Our students’ unique backgrounds and beliefs enliven and enrich our inclusive community. We invite you to be inspired by faculty who are lifelong learners and subject matter experts and to be seen and heard in classrooms averaging 12 students.
Monte Vista Christian • mvcs.org • 831-768-6101
Located on 105 beautiful acres in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Monte Vista Christian School offers students in grades 6 through 12 everything from comprehensive course offerings to rigorous athletic programs, an award-winning Fine Arts department to an equestrian center. Our distinctively Christian approach to educational excellence empowers learners to achieve their highest potential academically, athletically, artistically, and emotionally. MVC is currently an International Baccalaureate candidate school and looks forward to awarding IB diplomas to members of the Class of 2023 and beyond.
Moreland Notre Dame • mndschool.org • 831-728-2051
Founded in 1899, Moreland Notre Dame is dedicated to providing a quality Catholic education that nurtures academic excellence in a faith-filled community for children TK-8th grade. Located in the heart of Watsonville, Moreland Notre Dame has been educating students for life for 120 years.