Newport Beach’s six private schools form a complete path
Newport Beach’s six private schools cover kindergarten through grade 12: three K-8 schools, one K-12 school and two high schools.
| School | Grades | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Day School | K-8 | Non-sectarian |
| Carden Hall | K-8 | Non-sectarian |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School | K-8 | Catholic parish school |
| Newport Christian School | K-12 | Christian |
| Sage Hill School | High school | Non-sectarian |
| Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County | High school | Christian |
The addresses of Harbor Day School and Sage Hill School read Corona del Mar and Newport Coast; the school library places both in Newport Beach.
Key point: A student who finishes grade 8 at one of the three K-8 schools can apply in the same city to Sage Hill School or Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County, unlike the seven private schools inside city limits in Irvine, which each cover one segment and rarely connect.
Most Newport Beach private schools require the ISEE for admission
Four of the six schools require the ISEE or SSAT (private school entrance exams); the other two use an on-campus assessment.
- Sage Hill School: Accepts the ISEE or SSAT, added grades 7-8 starting in 2026-27, and admits mainly at grades 7 and 9.
- Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County: Requires the ISEE of every applicant, with a family interview as the final step.
- Newport Christian School: Requires the ISEE for new students in grades 6-12 and uses an on-campus assessment for kindergarten through grade 5.
- Harbor Day School: Uses the ISEE, though not for every grade; its main entry grades are kindergarten, grade 5 and grade 6.
- Carden Hall: Uses an on-campus assessment and accepts applications only for PK through grade 6, with no new students in grades 7 or 8.
- Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School: Uses an on-campus assessment.
Key point: For Irvine families, the test plan and entry grade in Newport Beach need to be settled before tuition.
The tuition range at Newport Beach private schools
Annual tuition for one child at the six schools runs from $9,912 to $58,100, a very wide range.
| School | Year | Annual tuition, one child | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Christian School | 2026-27 | $9,912 for grades K-5; $10,437 for TK and grades 6-12 | Plus a $300 security fee |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School | 2026-27 | $12,380 for baptized Catholics; $15,380 for non-Catholics | Two rates by baptism |
| Carden Hall | 2025-26 | $20,760 for K; $22,500 for grades 1-6; $23,160 for grades 7-8 | 2026-27 tuition not yet published |
| Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County | 2026-27 | $25,490 | A single rate |
| Harbor Day School | 2026-27 | $39,350 for all of K-8 | Includes daily lunch, field trips, supplies, athletics, an iPad and the yearbook |
| Sage Hill School | 2026-27 | $49,500 for grades 7-8; $58,100 for grades 9-12 | Two rates by grade band |
Figures are each school’s most recent published year and are normally revised annually.
Key point: For the same kindergarten-through-grade-12 span, staying at Newport Christian School costs less than a third as much per year as Harbor Day School followed by Sage Hill School.
What is missing from Newport Beach private schools: F-1 support
None of Newport Beach’s six private schools states in the school library that it issues the I-20.
- What the I-20 is: The school document an international student needs to apply for an F-1 visa.
- Stated no: Harbor Day School and Sage Hill School state that they do not issue the I-20.
- Confirm directly: Newport Christian School lists international student tuition on its website, so confirm visa arrangements directly with the school.
- Mandarin before high school: Harbor Day School introduces Mandarin in grade 5 as an option to continue in grades 6-8.
- Mandarin in high school: Sage Hill School teaches it through Chinese IV, and Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County offers none.
Key point: Families who need F-1 status can start with the schools that issue the I-20 in other cities on Orange County private schools by city.
What Irvine families should do next when choosing a Newport Beach private school
When choosing a Newport Beach private school, Irvine families should first fix the entry grade and the test.
- Test plan: If the target is Sage Hill School, Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County or grade 6 and above at Newport Christian School, plan for the ISEE or SSAT early.
- Drive the route: Drive it on a weekday at the school’s actual arrival time; the 3.9 to 7.4 miles on this page are straight-line distances, not drive times.
- Total tuition: Add up tuition across both the K-8 and high school stages.
- More options: For more cities and filters, see the Orange County private school finder and the private schools within 15 miles of Irvine.
Key point: EDUBUS is based in Irvine and works on school selection and application planning; we recommend settling the entry grade and test dates before comparing tuition, so a preferred school is not lost to a missed test or entry year.
