The Bishop's School
Episcopal college-preparatory school in La Jolla — small classes, integrated academics, athletics, and arts
The Bishop's School is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school for grades 6-12 founded in 1909 in La Jolla, California. With approximately 800 students, a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and an average class size of 14, Bishop's integrates rigorous academics with athletics, arts, and Episcopal-tradition character formation. Roughly 20% of students receive financial aid, with grants averaging $33,262 per recipient.
Quick answers
Tuition, selectivity, and admissions overview
The Bishop's 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.
Suggested next step
Confirm grade-level availability first, then decide whether to complete materials now or plan for the next cycle.
2027–28 admission and financial aid applications are open
$52,500 (2026-27)
For a real annual budget, compare tuition with housing, guardianship, insurance, transportation, school breaks, and activity costs.
ISEE or SSAT (PSAT/SAT/ACT accepted grades 10-12)
Day school; students must live with a parent or guardian; no school homestay
Compare with
Schools families often compare with The Bishop's School
Cathedral Catholic High School
San Diego, California
Tuition $22,637 (2026-27 annual-plan total: $22,137 tuition + $500 deposit)
View school profile →Pacific Ridge School
Carlsbad, California
Tuition $47,250 (2026-27 tuition)
View school profile →Francis Parker School
San Diego, California
Tuition $30,300 - $49,100 (2026-27, by grade)
View school profile →Mission
“The Bishop's School is an academic community pursuing intellectual, artistic, and athletic excellence in the context of the Episcopal tradition. We are dedicated to the rigorous cultivation of mind, body, and spirit.
”
Key Information
Grades
Grades 6-12
Language Requirement
ISEE or SSAT (PSAT/SAT/ACT accepted grades 10-12)
Cost of Attendance
$52,500 (2026-27)
Accommodation
Day school; students must live with a parent or guardian; no school homestay
Admission Information
2027–28 admission and aid
2026-09-01
•2027-02-01
Opened September 1, 2026. Submit the initial form by January 1, 2027 to guarantee an interview; admission and aid applications are due February 1; decisions are March 10. Admissions Open House October 31, 2026.
Application Requirements
- ISEE or SSAT (grades 10-12 may substitute PSAT/SAT/ACT)
- Three teacher recommendations
- Student interview (~25 min) plus parent interview (~15 min)
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency demonstration for international applicants
Why Choose The Bishop's School?
Small Classes, 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
With approximately 800 students across grades 6-12 and a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Bishop's keeps the average class size at 14 (range 14-16). The school reports that 90% of faculty hold advanced degrees, and the small scale supports close mentorship across academics, athletics, and the arts.
Integrated Academics, Athletics, and Arts in the Episcopal Tradition
Founded in 1909 as an Episcopal college-preparatory school, Bishop's intentionally weaves rigorous academics with required athletics and arts participation alongside chapel and character formation. The result is a holistic program where students develop intellectually, physically, artistically, and ethically in a single integrated community.
Substantial Financial Aid Program
Bishop's distributes approximately $5.3 million in financial aid each year. About 20% of students receive aid, with grants averaging $33,262 per recipient — making the school accessible to qualified families beyond those who can pay the full $52,500 (2026-27) tuition.
Life at The Bishop's School
An Integrated Community in La Jolla
Bishop's sits in La Jolla, one of San Diego's most walkable coastal neighborhoods, with year-round temperate weather and immediate access to beaches, hiking, and University of California, San Diego. Daily life weaves required participation in athletics and the arts alongside academics, with regular chapel and a small-school feel across roughly 800 students.
~800 Students, 9:1 Ratio
A single 6-12 community with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio and average class size of 14
Required Athletics & Arts
Athletics and arts participation is woven into the academic program rather than treated as add-ons
College-Prep Outcomes
College-preparatory program in the Episcopal tradition with strong placement at selective universities
Campus Life at The Bishop's School
A historic La Jolla campus with dedicated spaces for arts, athletics, science, college counseling, and student gathering
Arts Facilities
Studios, a darkroom, dance studio, and the Taylor Performing Arts Center
Athletics Facilities
Fleet Athletic Center, Hunte Fields, tennis, aquatics, and fitness spaces
Manchester Library & Learning Center
A 22,000-square-foot library and learning center with collaborative study space
Teitelman Science Center
Laboratory classrooms, research space, wet lab, and science presentation hall
Athletics
Bishop's reports 120 CIF titles and strong participation across team sports
College Counseling
Five college counselors begin working with students in tenth grade
Creative Sciences
Hands-on engineering, making, and collaborative problem-solving through the Center for Creative Sciences
The Bishop's School By The Numbers
Discover the impressive statistics that make our school exceptional
Data verified on
Academic Program
Bishop's runs a college-preparatory program for grades 6-12 with average class size of 14 and 90% of faculty holding advanced degrees. Academics are integrated with required athletics and arts participation in the Episcopal tradition rather than treated as separate tracks.
Average class size of 14 (range 14-16) for personalized attention
90% of faculty hold advanced degrees
Required athletics and arts participation woven into the program
ISEE / SSAT for entry, with PSAT/SAT/ACT accepted in grades 10-12
Episcopal tradition chapel and character formation
Three teacher recommendations and a student + parent interview as part of admission
Data sources
The figures below are sourced from each school's official public records, verified periodically: Data verified on
- The Bishop's School — Fast Facts (Official)
- The Bishop's School — Home / Facts (Official)
- The Bishop's School — Our Campus (Official)
- Wikipedia: The Bishop's School (La Jolla, California)
- Bishop’s: Applying
- Bishop’s: Tuition
- Bishop’s: At a glance
- Bishop’s: 2025–26 College Profile
- Bishop’s International Admissions FAQ (Official)
Further reading
If you're considering The Bishop's School, also read
Bishop's vs Parker vs LJCDS: how San Diego's top 3 private schools compare
Side-by-side comparison of academics, fit, and admissions selectivity — and where Bishop's stands out.
Full cost of US private high school for a Chinese family
Tuition, guardianship, fees, transportation — the total cost picture beyond Bishop's published sticker price.
When to apply to Bishop's: San Diego private school admissions timeline
Bishop's admissions runs on a structured cycle. What families should know about deadlines, interviews, and grade-level availability.
Top private high schools in San Diego: where Bishop's fits
Episcopal college-prep day school in La Jolla — Bishop's positioning among San Diego's elite private options.
Legal guardianship for international students at San Diego day schools
Bishop's is a day school. International families without local relatives must plan guardianship in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Bishop's School's admissions acceptance rate?
The school does not publish an admissions acceptance rate.
How much does The Bishop's School cost for 2026-27?
2026–27 tuition is $52,500 for grades 6–12, including a mid-morning snack and hot lunch. The school also estimates $600 for books, iPad and supplies, $350 for uniforms, and $1,000 for sports, arts and incidentals; transportation is optional. The 2027–28 tuition has not yet been published.
How many students attend The Bishop's School?
The official 2025–26 school profile lists 800 students in grades 6–12. This is a dated count, not a live 2026–27 enrollment figure.
When should families apply to Bishop’s for 2027–28?
Opened September 1, 2026. Submit the initial form by January 1, 2027 to guarantee an interview; admission and aid applications are due February 1; decisions are March 10.
Does The Bishop's School offer financial aid?
Yes. Approximately 20% of students receive financial aid, with grants averaging $33,262 per recipient. The school distributes about $5.3 million in financial aid annually.
Is The Bishop's School religious?
Bishop's is an independent Episcopal school. Founded in 1909, it incorporates chapel and Episcopal-tradition character formation, but admits and educates students of all faiths and backgrounds as a college-preparatory day school.
Does The Bishop's School accept international students?
Bishop's accepts international applicants and may issue an I-20 after enrollment, but it has no ELL program. It provides neither boarding nor homestay accommodations. Every student must live with at least one parent or guardian while enrolled; EdComm checks this requirement with families before planning an application.
What standardized tests does The Bishop's School require?
For grades 6-9, ISEE or SSAT is required. For grades 10-12, PSAT, SAT, or ACT may be substituted. Three teacher recommendations are also required, along with a ~25-minute student interview and ~15-minute parent interview. Bishop's does not publish average admitted-student test scores. On-campus college counseling supports both SAT and ACT preparation.
How does The Bishop's School compare to LJCDS, Francis Parker, or Pacific Ridge?
Bishop's (~800 students, Episcopal, 1909) is one of San Diego's 'Big Three' independent schools alongside La Jolla Country Day and Francis Parker. All three are similarly priced ($50-55K) and have strong college outcomes. Bishop's distinguishes itself with required arts and athletics in the Episcopal tradition and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pacific Ridge (~661, founded 2007) is younger and pedagogically different (Harkness method). Cathedral Catholic (~1,669) is a much larger Catholic school with a lower annual-plan total ($22,637, including deposit).
Do all Bishop's students participate in athletics and arts?
Yes. Bishop's requires participation in both athletics and arts as part of its integrated college-preparatory program in the Episcopal tradition. This is distinct from schools where athletics and arts are optional electives. The expectation reflects Bishop's commitment to whole-person formation alongside academic rigor.