Ready to scout the cream of the crop IB Diploma Programme high schools in California? Whether you’re chasing that global-ready vibe or eyeing a dipl – here are seven spots you’ll low-key want on your radar.
Each entry comes with the 411 on what makes it pop, the stuff that trips you up, and the dollars you’ve gotta shell out.
TOP 7 IB Schools in California
In the world, IB schools are only getting more and more popular every year, the same goes to US, and especially California.
Okay, ready for our list of the best Californian IB schools? Let’s roll.
1. The Quarry Lane School (Dublin, CA)
Nestled in the Tri-Valley, Quarry Lane’s private K-12 campus mixes college-prep rigor with that IB spirit. You’ll find tight-knit classes where teachers actually know your name and passion-driven electives, think robotics club wars and STEM hackathons, fuel real-world smarts.
For example, seniors recently led a community science fair that drew in dozens of middle-schoolers, boosting local STEM interest in a major way.
- Pros:
- Super small class sizes for tons of one-on-one support
- Robust STEM/arts blend keeps things fresh
- Diverse student body brings global perspectives
- Super small class sizes for tons of one-on-one support
- Cons:
- Pricey annual tab
- Extra fees for things like AP/club participation can add up
- Admission’s competitive, so seats fill fast
- Pricey annual tab
- Yearly Cost:
- Grades 9–12: $49,889
- Grades 9–12: $49,889
2. The International School of San Francisco (SF, CA)
This bilingual French–English hub was among the first in California to rock the IB Diploma. Beyond classroom chops, students jet off on curated global trips, think service learning in Cambodia or French immersion in the Alps. These adventures aren’t just flexes; they spark real empathy and cultural know-how.
- Pros:
- Deep dive into two languages, with fluent support even if you start as a total noob
- Elite global-travel ops that boost résumés
- Strong financial-aid pool keeps things inclusive
- Deep dive into two languages, with fluent support even if you start as a total noob
- Cons:
- Near top-tier private-school pricing
- Smaller campus footprint means limited sports facilities
- Application window’s tight – be ready in early winter
- Near top-tier private-school pricing
- Yearly Cost:
- $61,120 via TenPay plan
- $61,120 via TenPay plan
3. Silicon Valley International School (Palo Alto/Menlo Park, CA)
Bilingual vibes here cover French, Mandarin and German from PYP through DP. Their Class of ’24 averaged a 33-point DP score (global avg: 30), with a 100% pass rate – proof you’re getting legit prep for those exam days. Plus, small cohorts mean you’ll build tight bonds before heading off to top-tier unis.
- Pros:
- Consistent DP performance above global benchmarks
- Genuine bilingual ethos across every grade
- Variable-tuition program opens doors for more families
- Consistent DP performance above global benchmarks
- Cons:
- Annual tuition hovers around the mid-five figures
- Limited extracurricular options compared to larger campuses
- Competition for spots is pretty fierce
- Annual tuition hovers around the mid-five figures
- Yearly Cost:
- Approximately $44,990
- Approximately $44,990
4. Convent of the Sacred Heart (San Francisco, CA)
An all-girls Catholic school that pairs IB with a tight alum network, recent grads have landed internships at Google and Goldman Sachs.
Courses are lean and mean: Theory of Knowledge essay, Extended Essay and a full slate of six subjects.
And if you’re feeling swamped or just want to boost your DP scores, no sweat—we’ve got a squad of IB writers who can handle any assignment you throw their way. Whether it’s crafting a killer Extended Essay, polishing your TOK paper, or knocking out those tricky IAs, our crew will sort you out with top-tier work, complete with solid sources and on-time delivery.
Kick back, relax, and let the experts take care of the heavy lifting—so you can get back to hanging with friends, hitting the waves, or just chilling without the stress.
Now let’s get back to the real talk: the sister school Stuart Hall offers coed events, so you still get some social balance.
- Pros:
- Small 7:1 student-teacher ratio
- Powerful alum network and college counseling
- Solid financial-aid offerings for qualifying families
- Small 7:1 student-teacher ratio
- Cons:
- Girls-only setting might be a deal-breaker for some
- Tuition’s steep, rivaling top Bay Area privates
- Religious components woven into daily routines
- Girls-only setting might be a deal-breaker for some
- Yearly Cost:
- $55,015 for grades 9–12
- $55,015 for grades 9–12
5. Granada Hills Charter High School (Granada Hills, CA)
The nation’s largest charter high school doubles down on IB MYP & DP. Another options for those of you coming from New Jersey. You won’t pay tuition – public benefit, and the campus vibe is electric, with everything from STEM clubs to a Grammy-winning choir.
Last spring, dozens of DP seniors led peer-mentoring workshops for incoming freshmen, boosting IB enrollment diversity.
- Pros:
- No tuition, full IB access
- Huge selection of electives and after-school activities
- Active community projects build leadership
- No tuition, full IB access
- Cons:
- Massive student body means less personalized attention
- On-campus resources can feel stretched
- Admission into IB DP track remains competitive
- Massive student body means less personalized attention
- Yearly Cost:
- Public (no tuition), but DP exam fees apply: ~$123 per subject; core fees (EE $94, TOK $48, CAS $10)
- Public (no tuition), but DP exam fees apply: ~$123 per subject; core fees (EE $94, TOK $48, CAS $10)
6. Sequoia High School (Redwood City, CA)
A public school with deep IB roots, Sequoia covers the annual IB fee and internal assessment costs. You’re only on the hook for $135 per exam, and low-income students, who didn’t get enough working summer jobs this year, can snag fee waivers through FRPL or IB scholarships. Moreover, big perks – college reps often swing by, so you get that early-bird advantage on applications.
- Pros:
- Public, minimal exam fees
- Robust college-prep advising and campus visits
- Strong support for first-gen families
- Public, minimal exam fees
- Cons:
- Student-teacher ratio can hit the mid-20s
- Limited elective variety compared to private peers
- Campus size means you need to hustle for attention
- Student-teacher ratio can hit the mid-20s
- Yearly Cost:
- Public; IB exam fee $135 per subject
- Public; IB exam fee $135 per subject
7. Ocean View High School (Huntington Beach, CA)
The only IB programme in the Huntington Beach Union district, OVHS mixes college-prep academics with a biz academy and the sole Mandarin program in the area. Two-time California Distinguished School status proves they’re not messing around. Seniors recently launched a beach-cleanup initiative that paired CAS hours with local environmental research – talk about hands-on.
- Pros:
- Unique district IB offering and strong community ties
- Embedded tutorial periods to boost grades
- Beachside location makes CAS projects epic
- Unique district IB offering and strong community ties
- Cons:
- Fewer IB course options than larger academies
- Rival sports programs get more funding attention
- Public school bells and whistles may be dated
- Fewer IB course options than larger academies
- Yearly Cost:
- Public (no tuition), DP exam fees same as other public IB: ~$123 per subject
- Public (no tuition), DP exam fees same as other public IB: ~$123 per subject
Whether you’re vibing with private campus life or a public-school hustle, California’s IB scene has you covered.
Each spot brings its own flavor, from five-figure tuitions to nearly free public routes, so pick the fit that clicks with your dreams (and your wallet).