These schools were voted the Best Private Elementary Schools in the Bay Area in Bay Area Parent’s 2026 Best of the Best reader poll. Read the full list of winners here.
East Bay
Gold: The Renaissance International School. This trilingual Montessori school encourages elementary students to develop and achieve their highest potential. Oakland. therenaissanceschool.org.
Silver: East Bay German International School. Emeryville. ebgis.org.
Peninsula
Gold: Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School. Educators at this TK-eighth grade school focus on critical thinking, leadership opportunities and Jewish values. Foster City. wornickjds.org.
Silver: Kids Connection Schools. Foster City. kidsconnectionschool.com.
Bronze: Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew. San Mateo. episcopaldaysanmateo.org.
San Francisco/Marin
Gold: San Francisco Waldorf Grade School. Using principles of Waldorf education, students engage in a balanced curriculum that integrates the sciences, mathematics, the humanities and arts. San Francisco. sfwaldorf.org.
Silver: Saint Raphael School. San Rafael. straphaelschool.com.
Bronze: Winston Preparatory. San Rafael. winstonprep.edu.
Silicon Valley
Gold: Canyon Heights Academy. This Catholic preschool through eighth-grade program supports the whole student through an education rooted in clarity, character and academic depth. Campbell. canyonheightsacademy.com.
Silver: Bowman School. Palo Alto. bowmanschool.org.
Bronze: Los Altos Christian School. Los Altos. lacs.com.
