2024 Best Preschools in California

A Guide to Navigating Preschools in California

California is one of the most populous states in the United States, and this goes for preschools as well. In total, there are 8,514 preschools across the Golden State. This number is 5% lower than the national average, however on a per capita basis it has eight and a half times more schools than other states (which is an impressive figure). These schools boast a B grade on average, with 38% of them scoring above the national average. This means that parents and students have immediate access to over 3,000 preschools that exceed the average quality of most schools in the nation.

The student-to-teacher ratio in California is 22 to 1, which is 57% higher than the average state. This suggests that the state may be sacrificing individual attention for larger classes. On the other hand, this does not appear to have had an adverse effect on academic performance as California's schools still retain an overall grade of B. Furthermore, the typical preschool houses an average of 410 students, which is 11% more than in other states.

Stats about California public preschools

Public preschools in California make up 72% of all schools and they have a B– grade on average. Despite having much larger classes sizes (about 483 students per school - 31% greater than most states) there are still a respectable 28 per capita rate public schools in California (which is 5% fewer than the national rate). While this may seem like a large amount of students, it doesn't appear to impede academic performance as mentioned before as public schools retain an overall grade of B-.

Traditional public preschools

As with most states, traditional public schools comprise the majority of public educational institutions. In California's case, traditional schools make up 85% of all public schools and there are 5,236 of them spread across thirty-two cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. These institutions hold their own against their peers with an overall grade of B– and 45% (or 2,364) surpassing the national average. It's also worth noting that these traditional schools have a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1 (which exceeds the national average by 21%) and are slightly larger than other public schools with about 479 students per school (30% more than most states).

The California preschool that Excels in Academics and Community

When it comes to finding the best traditional public preschool in California, Woodside Elementary School takes home the award. Situated amongst picturesque grounds near Woodside, the school has a total enrollment of 368 students and an outstanding student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1 - 21% lower than the national average. Parents often praise Woodside Elementary School for its welcoming faculty, small class sizes, and rigorous academics. The A+ rating further verifies its commitment to providing quality education and fostering character development among its students. Another exceptional traditional school is Duveneck Elementary School located in Palo Alto. With 340 students enrolled, Duveneck Elementary School has earned itself an A+ rating due to its excellent teaching staff and wide array of educational opportunities available to students. In addition to its stellar academics program, parents appreciate its low student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1 - 21% greater than the national average - which may comprise individual student attention from their teacher, albeit slightly.

All About Charter Preschools in California

Charter schools make up about 9% of all public preschools nationally and this is also true for California where 712 exist across fifteen cities like Sacramento and Oakland. The state saw plenty of growth here over time as it nearly doubles the national per capita rate (+114%). Although they may be scarce—with 48% scoring above average—they still offer high quality education with an overall grade B rating. It's also worth noting that these charter schools typically are larger than most—averaging 511 students—which is about 38% more than other states.

What is the best charter preschool in California?

When it comes down to picking out the best charter school among its peers in California, Granada Hills Charter stands tall above all others with a remarkable 5462 enrollments (which is considerably larger than most charter schools) and earning an A+ grade nonetheless. Although their student-teacher ratio is inflated at 26:1 versus 14:1 seen at other schools nationwide (+86%), Granada Hills Charter has clearly demonstrated that it can successfully accommodate large classrooms while still providing excellent education to all its students.

If Granada Hills Charter isn't quite what you're looking for another great option is Yu Ming Charter School located near Oakland which has 555 enrolled students with a 19:1 student teacher ratio (+36%). A respectable B grade coupled with a sizable class size makes this school another strong contender amongst charter preschools in California.

Which Magnet preschool Should You Consider in California?

If you're looking for a top-performing magnet preschool in California, consider checking out what EARTHS Magnet School has to offer. Located in Newbury Park, this school has consistently been praised for its academic excellence. The student-teacher ratio at EARTHS Magnet School is 22:1, one of the higher ratios among magnet schools in the state. A higher student to teacher ratio can mean that the school has to be innovative in how they keep children engaged and growing - as one-to-one time can be a challenge. That being said, its A grade is a testament to its quality of education and that they seem to have figured out the larger classroom setting. Therefore, parents looking for a great magnet preschool should look no further than EARTHS Magnet School. The second-best magnet school in the state is Edison Elementary School in Santa Monica. The school size is slightly smaller than that of EARTHS Magnet School at 427 students, but it makes up for it with an impressive 22:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which is 57% higher than the national average..

Key insights into California's private school landscape

Private schools are also a popular choice in California, with 2222 schools available to students and parents. The state has a strong reputation for academic excellence, with the average grade being an impressive A. The typical private school in the state also has a smaller student body compared to the national average, with 187 students on average. This may not guarantee better education quality across the board, but it indicates that private schools in California tend to be more intimate than those across the country.

A quick overview of religious preschools in California

California has 1244 private schools influenced by religious beliefs. Out of these 1244 schools, 647 of them are Christian-based institutions, making it the most common religious influence by a large margin. The average grade quality of religious schools in California is an impressive A–, slightly below the state's overall private school average. The size of these schools is slightly larger on average than their non-religious counterparts at 220 students per school. This is 40% more than the national average, potentially due to larger denominations found in this state compared to others across the country.

Top-Ranked Religious preschool in California

When it comes to religious preschools in California, Christian institutions have a significant presence due to their sheer number. However, one school stands out from the rest as the highest-rated religious preschool in the state: TVT Community Day School located in Irvine. With an outstanding A+ grade and 802 students enrolled, this Jewish day school offers an excellent educational experience for those interested in exploring Jewish traditions through schooling. Additionally, its remarkable 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio is 43% below the national average and allows for personalized attention from faculty and staff alike. The 2nd ranked religious school in California is St. Margaret's Episcopal School located in San Juan Capistrano. Despite having a larger student population of 1,250 compared to TVT Community Day School, it still offers an A+ grade and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio matching its counterpart's. It's about an hour away from Irvine, but still remains a great option for those looking for a religious education for their preschooler that offers both high quality academics and an intimate learning environment.

California's Private Non-Religious preschools: Size and Success

Private preschools without religious affiliation account for 11% of all private schools in California (973 total). This is 39% higher than other states per capita rate of these schools, attributed to excellent academic programs available throughout California and its prestigious institutions. These schools boast excellent academic performance, with an A+ average grade statewide - 134 schools even score above the national average! On average, these schools are significantly smaller than those across the country, with an average size of 143 students - surpassing the national average by 61%.

Top Private Non-Religious preschool in California

The top rated private non-religious preschool in California can be found at The Nueva School located in Hillsborough with 853 students enrolled and an impressive 6 to 1 student to teacher ratio - 57% lower than that of the national average! Students receive exceptional attention and support from faculty and staff due to its small class size; this school also has received an A+ grade which is a testament to its quality of education provided. In close second place is The Harker School located at San Jose which boasts 1972 enrolled students and still manages to maintain its outstanding A+ rating - regardless of its larger size compared to Nueva School. Additionally, its 6:1 student to teacher ratio proves that personalized attention from faculty and staff are still within reach even when being part of such a large student population; this school should definitely not be overlooked by those looking for a private non-religious educational institution for their child.