Sierra Canyon has a national reputation for athletic excellence. Jose Montanez/Courtesy of Sierra Canyon Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment For this guide to the most in-demand private schools in Los Angeles, The Hollywood Reporter spoke to parents as well as admission consultants, looking at a host of criteria including selectivity, location, class size and school culture. "You need to look at the values that the school embodies and promotes," says consultant Betsy Brown Braun. And keep in mind, as consultant Fiona Whitney cautions, that "schools are looking for classmates to make up a classroom - not for résumés of parents. The real currency isn't just money, it's a child's ability to engage thoughtfully and truly be part of the community." Related Stories Lifestyle $30,000 for a Book? At Mystery Pier, Celebrities Can't Get Enough News Welcome to Hollywood! Please Temper Your Expectations The Archer School for Girls LOCATION Brentwood TUITION $52,720 + $4,600 additional fees STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO 8:1 ACCEPTING Grades 6-12 With a motto of "ambitious, joyful learning," The Archer School for Girls hews to its mission of educating the next generation of female leaders. "I embrace the challenge of being a feminist institution at a time when women's rights are being eroded," Archer's head of school, Elizabeth English, has said. "Our mission of empowering young women has never been more important." Founded in 1995, Archer is located on a picturesque, nearly 7-acre campus centered on a Spanish Revival building that dates to 1931. With more than 150 course offerings, 11 varsity sports teams and even its own film festival (dedicated to empowering female filmmakers), the school - from which singer Gracie Abrams graduated in 2018 - has a breadth of offerings and a deep bench of Hollywood support, with three Netflix execs (Hannah Minghella, Marian Lee and Mitzi Reaugh) and producer Frank Marshall serving on the board. Says manager and stylist Jeanne Yang, whose two daughters attended: "Their classes were conducted in an expository manner. They had to present and be very vocal and speak very coherently on what they were doing. The communication skills that they learned were so invaluable." Brentwood School LOCATION Brentwood (both East and West campuses) TUITION $47,545 (K-5); $55,700 (6-12); plus up to $6,700 in fees STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO 3:1 (K); 7:1 (Grades 1-5); 8:1 (Grades 6-12) ACCEPTING Grades K-12 Everyone has an opinion about Brentwood, where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rick Caruso and Mike and Irena Medavoy have enrolled kids. Adherents praise the breadth and depth of academic offerings; the robust sports program and well-appointed playing fields; and such newer additions as the design- and entrepreneurship-focused Belldegrun Center for Innovative Leadership. Others say that every extreme of Los Angeles culture (wealth, celebrity, privilege) can get amplified at Brentwood. A new head of school, Timothy Cottrell, arrived this summer after 13 years in Hawaii at the 'Iolani School. Among his top priorities, according to the school, is a "focus on community and values." The Buckley School LOCATION Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley TUITION $48,250 (K-5); $56,800 (Grades 6-12) + $7,000 additional fees STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO 8:1 ACCEPTING Grades K-12 It's been six years since the "Varsity Blues" scandal came to light - in which several Buckley families were implicated - and seven years since a former head of school at Buckley resigned after a grade-inflation investigation. Under current head of school Alona Scott (who started in 2019), the 92-year-old institution has worked hard to renew its mission, which rests on founder Isabelle Buckley's original Four-Fold Plan where equal emphasis is given to academics, arts, athletics and an ethical education. The school - whose alumni include Laura Dern, Paris Hilton and Bret Easton Ellis - is remodeling its Lower School Assembly Room Building (which includes an expanded library and dedicated dance studio), and three years ago launched South by South Buckley, a film and arts festival. Campbell Hall LOCATION Studio City, San Fernando Valley TUITION $46,160 (K-6); $54,100 (Grades 7-12) + $7,245 additional fees STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO 9:1 ACCEPTING Grades K-12 Every Friday, students at Campbell Hall watch The Morning Show - not the Apple TV series, but a student-produced weekly show for announcements. The Episcopal school, which accepts students of all faiths, has a close-knit feel and is known for its well-rounded program including robust sports offerings (though it recently dropped football). "It's an academically strong school that also prioritizes balance and well-being," says admissions consultant Priya Nambiar. Denzel Washington and Matt Bomer are just two of the stars who have sent kids t