Castilleja

“Conscience, Courtesy, Character, Courage, and Charity”

Independent · Palo Alto (Peninsula) · AKA: Castilleja, Casti

Castilleja School

“Conscience, Courtesy, Character, Courage, and Charity”

Students: ~230
Tuition: $68k

Enrollment: ~230
Base tuition: $67,750
Real cost: $69k–$73k
Flexible tuition: ~20%

What makes this school special

The directory's only non-sectarian girls' school, educating "motivated young women to become confident thinkers and compassionate leaders" since 1907
Dropped the AP track in favor of its own advanced courses; students can still sit the AP exams (from Calculus BC to Chinese Language and Culture), but the curriculum answers to the school, not the syllabus
Each grade wears its own tie color, presented at a Tie Ceremony on the first day of school — ritual runs deep here

Academics

Curriculum

Advanced courses are the school's own, with the option to sit AP exams; Upper School framed around Challenge, Care, and Connection

Do APs matter?

World languages

French, Mandarin, Spanish

Signature programs

ACE Center for Awareness, Compassion, and Engagement — student leadership
Bourn Lab makerspace
Student Wellness Center

UC admissions

In fall 2025, 42 students applied to the UC system from this school; 33 were admitted to at least one campus. UC keeps smaller counts private, so the rest of this school’s numbers aren’t published.

See UC’s data

What these numbers can and can’t tell you

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · West Bay Athletic League (WBAL), CIF Central Coast Section

BasketballCross CountryFlag FootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimmingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWater Polo

Arts

Visual ArtDanceTheatreMusic

Applying

Key dates

Applications open: September 1, 2026
Application due: January 5, 2027
Decisions released: March 12, 2027

The application

Applications run through Ravenna, the shared application platform, with events through the fall and the whole file due in early January. Testing is not required, and ISEE/SSAT scores aren't considered even if sent. Entry points are 6th grade (about 60 places) and grades 7-11.

Application requirements

Application via Ravenna ($100 fee; waivers available)
Campus visit and student interview
Student essays and questionnaires, plus a parent questionnaire
Teacher recommendations and transcript

Testing

Test-free

Getting there

1310 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Transit

Free school shuttle from the Palo Alto (University Ave) Caltrain station
School buses from Burlingame, San Carlos, and other Peninsula stops

Transit directions

Contact the school

admission@castilleja.org Visit the admissions site

Still thinking about Castilleja?

Save it to your shortlist and come back anytime.

Often on the same list

Menlo School

Independent

Crystal Springs Uplands School

Independent

Convent High School

Catholic (girls)

Sources

Applying to Castilleja — the 2026-27 cycle dates (opens September 1, due January 5, decisions March 12), Ravenna, $100 fee with waivers, "Testing is not Required," entry points
Tuition and Affordability — 2026-27 tuition and fees ($67,750; books and laptop separate), 1 in 5 students on aid, $4M+ aid budget, awards to $67,700
Transportation Options — the free Caltrain shuttle and the Peninsula bus stops, carpool program
Our Disciplines — the advanced-courses-not-AP model with optional AP exams, French/Mandarin/Spanish
Athletics — WBAL/CCS membership, sports by season, three-quarters participation
Mission and Values and History — mission, the 5Cs (the motto line), founded 1907, the tie tradition
CDE Private School Affidavit, 2024-25 — enrollment (231 in grades 9-12; 416 whole school). The school is absent from the 2025-26 filing, so this is the freshest state record

Details checked August 2026