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Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County · Silicon Valley · 2026–27 Enrollment Guide

Best Private Schools in Sunnyvale, CA

Private schools near Sunnyvale — rated across 6 categories using reviews from Google, Yelp, Niche.com, and GreatSchools. Average tuition: $22,100/year. Average class ratio: 10:1.

9
Private schools
$22K
Avg tuition/yr
10:1
Avg class ratio
Jan
Aid deadline
Top-rated private schools near Sunnyvale
Ratings aggregated from Google, Yelp, Niche.com, GreatSchools, and Indeed staff reviews · 2026
The Harker School
San Jose, CA · Grades PK–12 · Independent · Coed
4.6
Annual tuition: ~$40,000+
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BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
San Jose, CA · Grades K–12 · STEM · Coed
4.4
Annual tuition: ~$27,000
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Cambrian Academy
San Jose, CA · Grades 6–12 · Future-Ready · 84 students
4.4
Annual tuition: ~$18,000
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Fusion Academy Cupertino
Cupertino, CA · Grades 4–12 · 1-to-1 · AI-ready
4.3
Annual tuition: Contact for pricing
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Presentation High School
San Jose, CA · Grades 9–12 · Catholic · All-female
4.5
Annual tuition: $31,220
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Notre Dame High School
San Jose, CA · Grades 9–12 · Catholic · Coed
4.3
Annual tuition: ~$24,000
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About private schools in Sunnyvale

Private school landscape in Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale is Silicon Valley's industrial heart with major employers including Google, Apple, and LinkedIn nearby. It sits within the Sunnyvale School District and Fremont Union High School District, which provides Homestead High School and Fremont High School within the Fremont Union High School District. For families seeking private education, Stratford School, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (adjacent San Jose), and The Harker School are among the most frequently considered options in and near the city.

Sunnyvale has a highly international community, with large populations from India, China, and other countries. Private schools that offer strong ESL support, internationally benchmarked curricula, and strong STEM programs are particularly sought after.

Private school tuition near Sunnyvale ranges from approximately $14,000/yr to $42,000+/yr. The average class ratio across private schools in the area is approximately 10:1. Most schools offer need-based financial aid through FACTS or SSS — financial aid applications should be submitted by January 2027 for Fall 2027 enrollment.

How to choose a private school near Sunnyvale

When evaluating private schools near Sunnyvale, look for specific, verifiable data rather than marketing language. A trustworthy school provides: average class size (not a range — an actual number), student-teacher ratio, named faculty with qualifications, actual college matriculation data for high schools (where students enrolled, not just where they were accepted), and a complete fee schedule including every mandatory charge beyond headline tuition.

The California Department of Education does not regulate, approve, or endorse private K–12 schools — a school's CDE Private School Affidavit is a registration document, not a quality certification. Accreditation from a named body (WASC, WCEA, or NAIS membership) is a more meaningful signal. Verify which accreditor a school uses before treating "accredited" as a trust signal.

For a complete guide to the admissions process, deadlines, financial aid, and what to look for during campus visits, see our San Jose private school admissions timeline. For AI and coding school options, see which private schools near Sunnyvale teach AI in 2026.

Data sources: Sunnyvale School District · California private school directory

Frequently asked questions — Sunnyvale private schools
What private schools are in Sunnyvale, CA?
Sunnyvale has approximately 9 private schools. Stratford School serves PreK–8 with campuses in Sunnyvale and surrounding cities. The Harker School and BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in adjacent San Jose are both within 15 minutes and serve families across the Sunnyvale area for grades K–12.
What private schools are near Sunnyvale, CA?
Sunnyvale sits between Santa Clara and Cupertino, giving families strong access to Silicon Valley's private school market. Within 15–20 minutes: Harker School, BASIS Independent SV, Fusion Academy Cupertino, and Valley Christian Schools. Sunnyvale School District elementary schools are decent but not exceptional — many Sunnyvale families move to private school at the elementary level to access smaller classes and stronger academic programming before high school.
How do Sunnyvale families choose between Harker and BASIS Independent SV?
Both are elite, secular, and STEM-focused — but they serve different students. Harker (PreK–12, ~$40,000/yr) is a traditional college-prep school with sports, arts, and a full extracurricular program. It has name recognition that matters at elite university admissions. BASIS Independent SV (K–12, ~$27,000/yr) uses the BASIS curriculum — one of the most academically rigorous in the country, modeled on top-performing international systems. BASIS students take AP-equivalent courses starting in 7th grade. Harker for the well-rounded student. BASIS for the student who wants maximum academic intensity.
What is the private school application timeline for Sunnyvale families?
September: Research schools and register for ISEE or SSAT testing. October: Schedule school tours. November: Take entrance exam (ISEE registration fills fast in the South Bay). December–January: Submit applications. January–February: Receive decisions. March 15: Enrollment decision deadline at most schools. Apply to 3–5 schools — waitlists are common at Harker and BASIS. For kindergarten entry, some schools open applications as early as the prior January, so research the specific school's timeline.
How much does private school cost in Sunnyvale?
Private school tuition near Sunnyvale ranges from approximately $14,000/yr for elementary programs to $42,000+/yr for elite independent schools. The average is approximately $22,100/yr. Most schools use FACTS or SSS for need-based financial aid — apply by January 2027 for Fall 2027 enrollment.
Which Sunnyvale private schools are best for international families?
Sunnyvale has a large international community. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley benchmarks its curriculum against top international systems including Singapore and Finland. The Harker School has a globally diverse student body. Cambrian Academy in San Jose is specifically noted for its strong support of international students and those transitioning between school systems.
When should Sunnyvale families apply to private schools?
Open houses for Fall 2027 enrollment begin September 2026. Application deadlines fall December 2026 through February 2027, with competitive schools like Harker and BASIS closing in December. Financial aid through FACTS or SSS should be submitted by January 2027. Shadow days — where your student attends actual classes — are offered October through November; schedule early as slots fill by mid-October.
Are Sunnyvale public schools better than private schools?
Sunnyvale is served by Homestead and Fremont High within the Fremont Union High School District — both are strong public schools. Private school makes sense in Sunnyvale when a student needs a specialized environment, smaller class sizes, or a specific curriculum philosophy (STEM-intensive, 1-to-1 instruction, faith-based, or project-based learning) that the public school cannot provide.
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