California private schools have more than doubled, but 90% have fewer than 6 pupils

THERE ARE MORE THAN 500,000 STUDENTS in California attending private schools, compared to 5.7 million students in the state’s public schools. As public school enrollment declines, private schools are one possible place where students may be going.

The number of private schools has more than doubled over the past 20 years  — from 13,803 to 36,516. But studies suggest private schools play a small role in public school enrollment declines. In fact, enrollment at private schools is also declining — down 12% in the past 20 years, compared to public school enrollment decline of 9%. And, a high percentage of students in “private school” are homeschooled.