What Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning does

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning is a California not-for-profit independent school founded in 2008 and headquartered on a two-acre campus in Calabasas, California. It serves highly curious and gifted students in grades 5-12 through an Oxford-style tutorial model in which seminar classes average a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and emphasize Socratic questioning, collaborative discourse, and inquiry-based learning. Each student's program is co-created with faculty and structured around a customized block schedule that permits grade-level, accelerated, and college-level coursework, with college credit available through partnerships with California Lutheran University and Arizona State University. Twice-yearly Symposium events replace final exams with substantive research papers and presentations, and an Honors Colloquium, advanced STEM program, senior honors thesis, and 12th-Year/Gap Year Quest Program round out the academic offerings.

The school's revenue model centers on full-time tuition of $57,766 per student for the 2026-2027 school year, supported by an Indexed Tuition (need-based) program administered by FAST and a non-refundable $7,500 enrollment deposit. Beyond full-time enrollment, Qualia operates the Lyceum after-school enrichment program ($435 per 7-week class for ages 10-16) and the Lyceum Summer Program ($414-$995 per course for Summer 2026), both open to students from any school. The school is accredited by WASC, holds membership in NAIS and SENG, and reports that 100% of graduates are accepted at four-year colleges, 95% to their first-choice school, with an average of $600K in merit-based aid per graduating class. Marketing and admissions are primarily direct and referral-driven, led by the Director of Admissions, with the school relying on website content, newsletters, alumni and parent testimonials, and the personal reputation of Head of School Jim Hahn and Co-Founder Jon Cassie to attract families from across the greater Los Angeles region.

Name

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning

Legal name

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning

Website

https://qualiaschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning is a California not-for-profit independent school in Calabasas serving gifted grades 5-12 students through Oxford-style seminars with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, plus Lyceum after-school and summer enrichment programs open to ages 10-16.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Education (Gifted and Advanced Learners)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611), Educational Services (61), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Title I & Compensatory Education Programs (EDAJAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Core Curriculum Small-Group Tutoring Centers (Math/ELA/Science/Social Studies) (EDANAHAA), Problem-Solving & Enrichment Classes (Non-competition) (EDAMAEAB), Summer School & Extended-Year Academic Catch-Up (EDANAJAH)

Keywords

• Independent private school
• Gifted K-12 education
• Oxford-style tutorials
• Socratic inquiry learning
• Enrichment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calabasas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Full-Time Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition for grades 5-12. 2026-2027 tuition is $57,766 per student per school year. Additional fees include $100 application fee, $7,500 enrollment deposit (non-refundable), and $2,000 new student fee (non-refundable).
2. Lyceum After-School Enrichment: After-school enrichment program serving students ages 10-16 with advanced courses in STEM, philosophy, humanities, arts, and gaming. Tuition is $435 per 7-week class, meeting once weekly.
3. Lyceum Summer Program: Summer enrichment program with courses in topics like Merchandise Design and Branding, Word Lab, Strategy Games, and Snakes. Pricing ranges from $414 for single-day-per-week courses to $995 for twice-weekly courses over the summer session.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Qualia is a not-for-profit independent school serving grades 5-12, delivering full-time private education on a 2-acre Calabasas campus using Oxford-style tutorials (7:1 student-teacher ratio), inquiry-based learning, and a block schedule that allows students to take grade-level, advanced, and college-credit courses. The school also operates the Lyceum after-school and summer enrichment programs for ages 10-16, an Honors Colloquium, and a 12th-Year/Gap Year Quest Program, with tuition set under an Indexed (sliding-scale) model.

Product overview

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning is an independent not-for-profit school serving grades 5-12, offering a single unified educational program built around inquiry-based learning and self-directed exploration. The core academic model centers on Oxford-Style Seminars with small class sizes (7:1 student-teacher ratio) and the twice-yearly Symposium program. The school extends its approach through the Lyceum After-School and Summer Programs for students ages 10-16 from all schools, and offers advanced learners college courses through partnerships with Cal Lutheran University and Arizona State University, the Honors Colloquium, and a 12th-Year/Gap Year Quest Program. Each student's academic journey is customized through co-created educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lyceum: Qualia's after-school and summer enrichment program serving students ages 10-16, offering advanced courses in STEM, philosophy, humanities, arts, and gaming.

Products and services

• Full-Time Grades 5-12 Tuition Program Year-round private school offering for highly curious and gifted students in grades 5-12, centered on Oxford-Style Seminars (7:1 student-teacher ratio), a twice-yearly Symposium, block scheduling, and bespoke curricula co-created with each student. 2026-2027 tuition is $57,766 per school year, with $100 application fee, $7,500 enrollment deposit, and $2,000 new student fee. Includes Indexed Tuition/financial-aid eligibility through FAST.
• Lyceum After-School Enrichment Program After-school advanced enrichment program for ages 10-16 from any school, offering courses in STEM, philosophy, humanities, arts, and gaming on the Qualia campus. Pricing is $435 per 7-week class meeting once weekly.
• Lyceum Summer Enrichment Program Summer enrichment program for ages 10-16 featuring hands-on advanced courses including Merchandise Design and Branding, Word Lab, Strategy Games, and Snakes. Pricing ranges from $414 (single-day weekly) to $995 (twice-weekly courses).
• College Courses for Credit College-credit courses offered on the Qualia campus through partnerships with Cal Lutheran University and Arizona State University, available to both middle and high school students.
• Honors Colloquium Program Passion-driven, individualized advanced-level program for honors students, including an advanced STEM program and senior honors thesis.
• 12th-Year / Gap Year Quest Program Senior-year program offering students the opportunity to graduate early or participate in a structured gap-year experience at Qualia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates accepted at four-year colleges
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership allowing both middle and high school students to take college classes for credit at the Qualia campus. Students can earn college credit while still enrolled at Qualia through this affiliation.
• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership enabling both middle and high school students to take college classes for credit through ASU. Extends collegiate-level opportunities to Qualia students directly on campus.
• FAST (Financial Aid Services for Tuition)supportingOthersThird-party provider used by Qualia for its Indexed Tuition application process. FAST handles the financial aid application and assessment for families applying for reduced tuition.
• Southwestern Herpetology SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety whose President, Grayson Kent, serves as Qualia's Zoology instructor. Provides expertise and potentially live specimens for the after-school Zoology program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Harker School: Large independent K-12 school in Silicon Valley with strong college outcomes and STEM emphasis. Comparable to Qualia on outcomes-driven positioning and academic acceleration, though significantly larger and more institutionally entrenched.
• BASIS Independent Schools: Network of private K-12 schools with an accelerated, college-prep curriculum and strong STEM focus. Comparable to Qualia on academically rigorous positioning for advanced learners, though operating at much larger scale nationally.

Direct peers

• Buckley School: Independent K-12 school in Sherman Oaks serving academically capable students with small classes and broad enrichment. Closely comparable to Qualia on LA geography, size, and premium independent school positioning.
• Mirman School: Independent K-8 school for gifted learners in Los Angeles. Directly comparable to Qualia on gifted student focus, LA geography, and small-class philosophy, though Mirman caps at grade 8.
• Chadwick School: Independent K-12 day school on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Comparable to Qualia on premium LA independent school positioning, college matriculation outcomes, and small-class inquiry pedagogy.
• The Nueva School: Independent school in the San Francisco Bay Area serving gifted and talented learners with a project-based, inquiry-driven curriculum. Strongly comparable to Qualia on gifted-mission, inquiry pedagogy, and premium independent school positioning.
• New Roads School: Independent K-12 school in Santa Monica with a progressive, student-centered curriculum. Compares directly to Qualia on mission, LA geography, and emphasis on individualized learning for motivated students.
• Windward School: Independent K-12 school in Los Angeles with a college-prep mission and small classes. Comparable to Qualia on premium pricing, LA geography, and grade-5–12 entry point.
• The Oaks School: Independent K-6 progressive school in Hollywood with an inquiry-based, child-centered curriculum. Comparable to Qualia on progressive pedagogy and LA geography, though serving a younger grade range.
• Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences: Independent K-12 school in Santa Monica serving academically advanced students with a progressive, inquiry-based curriculum. Highly comparable to Qualia on pedagogy, grade range, and LA-area affluent family target market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qualiaschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning