Directory

Independent · Albany (East Bay)

Tilden Prep

Students
~110
Ratio
1:1
Tuition
Custom

Tuition is set per student's program in consultation with the school; no published sticker price.

What makes this school special

  • One-to-one on a mastery model since 2006: students hit 80% or better on every unit, or the teacher reteaches and retests until they do
  • A catalog that outsizes the school: 156 UC-approved courses and six languages, all schedulable morning to weekend, in person or remote
  • Serves students whose schedules or learning profiles don't fit a standard school day: ADHD and learning differences, gifted and twice-exceptional students, athletes and performers, and students re-entering after health challenges
  • Also an approved Nonpublic School, so districts can place students whose IEPs call for the individualized setting

Academics

Curriculum

One-to-one and small-group tutorial teaching on a mastery model (80% or better, reteach and retest); 156 UC-approved courses

Advanced Placement

31 AP courses

See the course list

World languages

American Sign Language, French, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish

Schedule

Fully individualized — mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends

Signature programs

  • One-to-one classes scheduled around the student, in person, remote, or hybrid
  • Part-time enrollment alongside the student's own school, for credit
  • Approved Nonpublic School (NPS) for district placements
  • One-on-one mentoring program and a 15-hour annual community service requirement

UC admissions

In fall 2025, 13 students applied to the UC system from this school; 12 were admitted to at least one campus, and 5 enrolled.

What these numbers can and can’t tell you

Athletics, arts & activities

Arts

Drawing & PaintingPhotographyFilm & Video Production

Life there

Learning support

The one-to-one tutorial model is the support — the school names bright students with ADHD and learning differences, gifted and twice-exceptional students, students rebuilding after learning loss or health challenges, and athletes and performers on demanding schedules

Often on the same list

Headlands Preparatory School

Independent

Fusion Academy San Francisco

Independent

Bayhill High School

Independent

Sources

  1. About Us — grades 6-12, the tutorial model, full-time and part-time programs, WASC accreditation
  2. FAQs — mastery learning defined, enroll-any-time, El Cerrito Plaza BART half a mile, the part-time students' schools list including The Bay School of San Francisco, a-g/UC approval
  3. Registration — tuition by consultation with the Head of School; no published figures
  4. Courses — the catalog, languages, AP Studio Art
  5. Why Students Choose Tilden — who the school serves; 33 AP courses
  6. Admissions — the NPS track and placement process
  7. CDE Private School Affidavit, 2025-26 — enrollment (136 total; 114 in grades 9-12)

Details checked August 2026