Admissions
The Qualia Student -
Anything But “Basic”
We are looking for students who follow their own rhythms, seek their own paths to understanding, and develop their own unique intellectual styles. Who believe that conformity is highly overrated. Who prefer deep reflection to shallow conversation. Who love being with a like-minded group of original thinkers and ardent explorers.
We enroll students who will value our challenging, idea-centered coursework and take advantage of our individualized support system.
Admissions Process
Admissions decisions are based on a written application, teacher recommendation, and personal interviews with prospective students and their parents. A “shadow visit” provides an opportunity for the student and the school to evaluate one another through informal, authentic interaction.
We encourage families seeking admission to apply by our preferred deadline in early December to secure a space. After the preferred deadline, Qualia will continue to honor applications on a space-available, rolling admissions basis.
Admissions Interview
Submit your information to our admissions committee. A member of our committee will contact you so that we can learn more about your family and you can learn more about Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning.
Tour/Shadow Visit
Visit Qualia with your family for a customized tour of our 2 acre campus. After the campus tour, we invite your student to sit in on a couple of our Language Arts and Great Ideas (Philosophy) classes to get a sense of what being a Qualia student feels like. Following the shadow visit, the student will debrief their experience with our admissions team.
Complete Application and Required Forms
- Visit our Application Portal and complete the required forms:
- Application Form
- Teacher Recommendation
- Official school transcripts/recent report cards
Admissions Decision
The admissions team will meet to review the application and discuss the Shadow Day. A decision will be published to the Application Portal shortly thereafter, and a personal letter from Jim Hahn, our founder, will follow.

Maggie Storm
Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Retention
Not Sure Where to Start?
We are here to help! We encourage all interested families to reach out to us at 310.478.9900 or email us so we can answer your initial questions and help you get started on your Qualia journey!
Our Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Retention is not only a member of our Qualia team, but also a parent to a senior. Maggie remains available to answer all of your questions, anytime, to help you understand whether Qualia is the right fit for not only your student, but your family.
Affording Qualia
Sliding-scale Tuition
Qualia’s sliding-scale tuition policy provides equitable access to our highly personalized, student-centered model, while supporting top-notch faculty, tiny class sizes, and cutting-edge tools and facilities. FAST, our third-party financial assessment software, helps us set a customized tuition based on a family’s income and allowed expenses.
In addition, we offer a limited number of merit scholarships, a tuition loan program, and flexible payment plans.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.