Francis Parker School
Independent, non-sectarian JK-12 school across two San Diego campuses
Francis Parker School is an independent, non-sectarian college-preparatory school founded in 1912, serving approximately 1,200-1,300 students from Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 across two San Diego campuses: Mission Hills (JK-5) and Linda Vista (6-12). With an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 16, Parker distributes about $8.25 million in financial aid annually to roughly 25% of students.
Quick answers
Tuition, selectivity, and admissions overview
Francis Parker School is one of the schools families often compare in the San Diego private high school search. This summary brings together tuition, acceptance-rate context, deadlines, testing, and local guardian considerations before the full profile below.
Data context
Tuition, testing, and application dates follow school-published sources; selectivity is labeled separately when it is a third-party estimate.
Suggested next step
Confirm grade-level availability first, then decide whether to complete materials now or plan for the next cycle.
2026-27 priority deadline has passed; inquire about limited availability
The February 1, 2026 priority deadline is now historical. Parker's official admissions page still directs families to inquire or apply, with availability depending on grade-level space.
$30,300 - $49,100 (2026-27, by grade)
Admissions assessment; ISEE for Grades 2-12
School does not publish; third-party estimate ~35%
Treat the acceptance-rate figure as an aggregator estimate, not an official Parker-published number.
Day school; international students must live with a parent or legal guardian locally
Compare with
Schools families often compare with Francis Parker School
Fit guidance
Is Francis Parker the right fit?
Parker is strong for families planning a long-term San Diego pathway, but it should be evaluated carefully if the student needs boarding, late-entry flexibility, or a lower-cost option.
Strong fit for
Families seeking a non-sectarian JK-12 pathway
The two-campus model works well for students who may grow within one independent school community from elementary through high school.
Students who benefit from small classes and broad resources
Parker combines an 11:1 student-teacher ratio with a large enough JK-12 program to support academics, arts, athletics, and college counseling.
Families comparing top San Diego day schools
Parker is often compared with Bishop's and La Jolla Country Day for academically ambitious students who want a secular private school environment.
Think carefully if
Students who need a school-run boarding program
Parker is a day school. International students must live locally with a parent or legal guardian rather than in an on-campus dormitory.
Families relying on a published acceptance rate
The school does not publish an official admissions acceptance rate, so selectivity should be discussed using grade-level entry points and current applicant context.
Short-window applicants entering crowded grades
The largest entry points are JK, grade 6, and grade 9. Other grades may depend heavily on available space.
EdComm can help families compare Parker against Bishop's, La Jolla Country Day, Pacific Ridge, Cathedral Catholic, and public-school alternatives before committing to an application strategy.
Mission
“Francis Parker School is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college-preparatory day school whose mission is to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective, and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.
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Key Information
Grades
Junior Kindergarten - Grade 12
Language Requirement
Admissions assessment; ISEE for Grades 2-12
Cost of Attendance
$30,300 - $49,100 (2026-27, by grade)
Accommodation
Day school; international students must live with a parent or legal guardian locally
Admission Information
Fall Admission (2026-27)
August Start
•Priority Deadline: February 1, 2026
Largest entry points are JK (48 seats), grade 6 (40-45 seats), and grade 9 (30-35 seats). Applications received after February 1 are reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits.
Financial Aid
Apply alongside admission
•February 1, 2026
Approximately 25% of students receive financial aid; the school distributes about $8.25 million annually. The $125 application fee is waived for financial aid applicants.
Application Requirements
- Admissions assessment; ISEE for Grades 2-12
- Recommendation letters
- Student interview
- Academic transcripts
- $125 application fee (valid 2 years; waived for financial aid applicants)
Why Choose Francis Parker School?
Two Purpose-Built Campuses for JK-12
Founded in 1912, Parker is one of San Diego's oldest independent schools and runs two campuses by design: Mission Hills serves Junior Kindergarten through grade 5, and Linda Vista serves grades 6-12. Each campus is tailored to the developmental stage of its students rather than fitting all ages into a single building.
11:1 Ratio Across ~1,300 Students
With approximately 1,200-1,300 students across both campuses, Francis Parker maintains an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 16. Roughly 67% of faculty hold advanced degrees, supporting a non-sectarian college-preparatory program without the size constraints of much smaller schools.
Substantial Need-Based Financial Aid
Francis Parker distributes about $8.25 million in financial aid each year — among the largest aid budgets of any San Diego independent school. Approximately 25% of students receive aid, and the $125 application fee is waived for families applying for assistance.
Life at Francis Parker School
Two Campuses, One Independent JK-12 Community
Francis Parker is non-sectarian and coeducational, serving roughly 1,200-1,300 students across two purpose-built San Diego campuses: Mission Hills for Junior Kindergarten through grade 5, and Linda Vista for grades 6-12. The split campus structure tunes facilities and pace to each developmental stage while preserving a single JK-12 program identity.
~1,300 Students, 11:1 Ratio
Two campuses combined, with an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio and average class size of 16
JK-12 in San Diego
Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 in a non-sectarian, coeducational independent program
~$8.25M in Annual Aid
Roughly 25% of students receive financial aid; $125 application fee is waived for aid applicants
Campus Life at Francis Parker School
Two San Diego campuses supporting JK-12 academics, college counseling, arts, athletics, and student life
Mission Hills Lower School
Junior Kindergarten through grade 5 campus designed for younger learners
Middle School Discovery
Grade 6-8 learning with discovery weeks and out-of-classroom experiences
Linda Vista Upper School
Grades 9-12 college-preparatory program on the Linda Vista campus
Classroom Learning
Small classes and close student-teacher interaction across the JK-12 program
College Counseling
Dedicated counseling helps students plan next steps beyond Parker
Arts & Innovation
Performing arts, visual arts, design, and creative work across divisions
Athletics
Lancer athletics and student wellness support the whole-child program
Francis Parker School By The Numbers
Discover the impressive statistics that make our school exceptional
Data verified on
Academic Program
Francis Parker runs a non-sectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory program from Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 across two purpose-built San Diego campuses. With an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 16, the program emphasizes academic depth, global perspective, and character.
Junior Kindergarten through grade 12, two-campus structure
Mission Hills campus serves JK-5; Linda Vista campus serves 6-12
11:1 student-to-teacher ratio with average class size of 16
Approximately 67% of faculty hold advanced degrees
Admissions assessment required; ISEE for Grades 2-12
Non-sectarian and coeducational
Data sources
The figures below are sourced from each school's official public records, verified periodically: Data verified on
- Francis Parker School — Home (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Admissions Home (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Progressive Education (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Arts & Innovation (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Lower School Admissions (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Middle School Admissions (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Upper School Admissions (Official)
- Francis Parker School — College Counseling (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Athletics (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Admissions FAQs (Official)
- Francis Parker School — Tuition (Official)
- PrivateSchoolReview: Francis Parker School Profile
- Wikipedia: Francis Parker School (San Diego)
Further reading
If you're considering Francis Parker School, also read
San Diego's Big Three: how Francis Parker compares to Bishop's and LJCDS
Side-by-side look at the three top SD independent schools. Parker's positioning across academics, athletics, and admissions.
Full cost of US private high school for a Chinese family
Tuition, guardianship, fees, transportation — total cost beyond Parker's published K-12 tuition range.
When to apply to Francis Parker: San Diego private school admissions timeline
Parker runs a structured admissions cycle with December-February deadlines and interview windows.
Top private high schools in San Diego: where Francis Parker fits
Non-sectarian K-12 independent school in Linda Vista and Mission Hills. Parker's positioning among SD's elite private options.
Legal guardianship for international students at San Diego day schools
Parker is a day school. International families without local relatives must plan guardianship in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Francis Parker School's admissions acceptance rate?
Francis Parker does not publish an official admissions acceptance rate on its own website. Third-party aggregators such as PrivateSchoolReview cite approximately 35%, and historical sources have noted Upper School admit rates under 25% for 2013-14. Treat the ~35% figure as an aggregator estimate rather than a school-published number.
How much does Francis Parker School cost for 2026-27?
Tuition for 2026-27 is tiered by grade: Junior Kindergarten $30,300; Senior Kindergarten through grade 5 $37,700; grades 6-8 $46,200; grades 9-12 $49,100.
How many students attend Francis Parker School?
Approximately 1,200-1,300 students across two campuses: Mission Hills (Junior Kindergarten through grade 5) and Linda Vista (grades 6-12). Reported counts vary slightly across sources (1,313 PrivateSchoolReview, 1,237 Wikipedia, ~1,200 school site).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Francis Parker?
Approximately 11:1, with around 123 classroom teachers (PrivateSchoolReview) and an average class size of 16. About 67% of faculty hold advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for Francis Parker 2026-27?
February 1, 2026 is the priority deadline; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter as space permits. Required components include the admissions assessment (ISEE for Grades 2-12), recommendation/evaluation forms, the required campus experience or interview, academic records, and a $125 application fee (valid for two years and waived for financial aid applicants). The largest entry points are Junior Kindergarten (48 seats), grade 6 (40-45 seats), and grade 9 (30-35 seats).
Does Francis Parker School offer financial aid?
Yes. Approximately 25% of students receive financial aid, and the school distributes about $8.25 million in aid each year. The $125 application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid.
Is Francis Parker School a religious school?
No. Francis Parker is a non-sectarian independent K-12 school with no religious affiliation. Founded in 1912 on the educational philosophy of Colonel Francis W. Parker, the school's identity is built around progressive academics, inquiry-based learning, and student-centered pedagogy rather than a faith tradition.
Does Francis Parker School accept international students?
Yes. International applicants follow Parker's standard admissions timeline. ISEE or SSAT scores are required (interview is also part of the process). Parker is a day school across both Linda Vista (K-5) and Mission Hills (6-12) campuses. Families without local relatives plan their own housing and guardianship before enrollment.
What standardized tests does Francis Parker School require?
ISEE or SSAT is required for most grade-level entries. Older applicants (grades 10-12) may submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores in lieu. Three teacher recommendations and a student interview are also part of the process. Parker does not publish average admitted-student test scores.
How does Francis Parker compare to The Bishop's School or LJCDS?
Francis Parker (~1,200 students, founded 1912) is one of San Diego's 'Big Three' independent schools alongside Bishop's (~800, Episcopal, 1909) and La Jolla Country Day (~1,150, founded 1926). All three are non-sectarian or single-faith independent K-12 day schools at similar tuition tiers ($30-55K). Parker emphasizes progressive pedagogy across two campuses (Linda Vista K-5, Mission Hills 6-12). Bishop's runs in the Episcopal tradition with required athletics and arts. LJCDS is fully non-sectarian on a single La Jolla campus. All have strong college-matriculation profiles.