Admissions FAQs

We know the admissions process can be tricky to navigate.
That's why we've committed ourselves to providing resources and tools to help you apply quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to what matters most — your child(ren).

Frequently Ask Questions

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • How do I get an application?

    Applications for admission are available online, one year prior to the student’s enrollment. Please fill out the inquiry form making sure you give us your child’s birth date, grade level, address, and phone number. Once submitted we will notify you with login credentials so that you have access to our application and your personal Admissions Progress page. Our application for the 2023-24 school year will be available on Monday, August 1, 2022. Please contact the Admissions Office if you have trouble accessing the application.

    We limit the number of Kindergarten applicants we process to 70 boys and 70 girls on a first come first served basis. The first date to submit your child's application for the 2023-24 school year will be Thursday, September 22, 2022. Once our number of applicants is reached, we will close the Kindergarten applicant pool. Applications should be accompanied by a picture of your child, a family photo, a copy of your child's birth certificate, and a $150.00 processing fee unless you are applying for tuition assistance. Families applying for tuition assistance will automatically have their application fee waived.

  • What birth date qualifies a candidate for a particular class?

    In order to apply to our Kindergarten, boys must be five by June 1, 2023, and girls must be five by September 1, 2023, the year the student is entering the school. 

    The number of new students accepted at JTD varies depending on the number of applicant siblings of present students, faculty children, and openings made available through attrition. Our three Kindergarten classes have a total of 45 students. Each class consists of 15 students and two teachers. There are two classes for each grade level, Grades One through Four, and 21 to 24 students with two teachers in each class. Grades Five and Six are departmentalized with our students in two groups moving from class to class with a rotating schedule, still with two teachers in each classroom.

    For Grades One through Six, the number of new students varies according to openings and qualifications of each year's applicants.

  • Do you have a sibling policy?

    We do consider ourselves a family school and will try, whenever possible, to keep families together. Siblings of present students and children of those legacy families who have sustained a positive relationship with our school since graduating will be given preference once they have met the admissions requirements. In addition, the school's policy is that it may accept up to 40% new families in the Kindergarten grade.

  • How diverse is the student population at JTD?

    JTD is committed to having a diverse and inclusive student body. In the 2022-23 school year, 46% of our students are students of color based on the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) categories. 

    Diversity and Inclusion Statement

  • Upon what do you base admission?

    Admission is decided, depending on the grade level, by a thorough assessment of the child's developmental readiness, academic ability, previous school record, and/or performance on testing. Yet, testing is only a part of our evaluation. Our classes are composed of many different types of students who bring their own strengths and gifts to share with us all. Interviews with parents and students help us get to know you.

  • Do you have tours available?

    (Optional) We are happy to offer September campus tours to our prospective parents applying for the 2023-2024 school year. Please fill out an inquiry form then contact Kim Bublitz at kbublitz@jtdschool.org in August to schedule a tour appointment. 

  • What will it cost to send my child to John Thomas Dye?

    Tuition for the 2022-23 school year is $36,900 Kindergarten through Grade 6. There is also a one-time new student fee of $2,000.

  • Do you offer financial assistance?

    The John Thomas Dye School budgets over $1,300,000.00 dollars for Financial Assistance.

    The cost of a JTD education can be a very difficult decision for many families. Financial Assistance is available for those families that need just a little help or a great deal of help in covering the cost of sending their child to JTD. If a family would like to request assistance, simply check the appropriate box on the application and enter the waiver code for admission. The online Financial Assistance application process is available by hitting the FAST button at the bottom of the Financial Assistance page of the Admissions section of our website. A letter, explaining how to apply for this assistance will be emailed to parents in early December. Families applying for tuition assistance will automatically have their application fee waived.

    Please refer to the page on Financial Assistance under Admissions for more specific information.

  • What are the dates for your admissions decisions? (See Independent School Heads' Letter)

    Dear Applicant Families, 

    As independent schools, we are varied in our educational philosophies and programs but united in our commitment to ethical practices in our admission offices. The Heads of the undersigned Los Angeles schools have agreed to the following principles of good practice for K – 12 admissions: 

    In order to minimize timing dilemmas for applicant families, we have agreed to these common notification and reply dates for fall 2022 admission: 

    Grades 9-12: Notification letters will be sent on Friday, March 10, 2023 
    Email notifications can be sent at 5:00pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 
    Replies will be due on Friday, March 17, 2023, by 12:00pm 

    Grades K-8: Notification letters will be sent on Friday, March 10, 2023 
    Email notifications can be sent starting at 5:00pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 
    Replies will be due on Friday, March 17, 2023, by 12:00pm

    Once notifications have been sent, schools will not initiate visits, whether for individuals or groups (e.g., through open houses). 

    We are mindful of the disruption to students’ education in their current schools that additional visits to prospective schools can cause, so we do not encourage such visits. However, schools that receive requests from newly admitted students and/or parents may grant those requests at their discretion. 

    No applicant or applicant family will be contacted by any representative of the school – once admissions notification begins. Of course, admitted students and their parents are welcome to contact schools to have questions answered. 

    We share an interest in making the independent school application experience as informative and enjoyable as possible. And we are joined in our conviction that the independent school world can offer unique and rich educational opportunities for young people. 

    Sincerely, 

    Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School Adat Ari El Day School 
    The Archer School for Girls 
    Berkeley Hall School 
    Beth Hillel Day School 
    Brawerman Elementary School 
    Brentwood School 
    Bridges Academy 
    Briskin Elementary School of Temple Israel of Hollywood The Buckley School 
    Calvary Christian School 
    Campbell Hall 
    Carlthorp School 
    The Center for Early Education 
    Chadwick School 
    Children’s Community School 
    The Country School 
    Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences Curtis School 
    de Toledo High School 
    Echo Horizon School 
    The Episcopal School of Los Angeles Harvard-Westlake School 
    Hollywood Schoolhouse 
    Ilan Ramon Day School 
    The John Thomas Dye School 
    Kadima Day School 
    Laurence School 
    Los Encinos School 
    Marlborough School 
    Marymount High School 
    Milken Community Schools Mirman School 
    New Roads School 
    Oakwood School 
    Pilgrim School 
    Pressman Academy 
    PS1 Pluralistic School 
    Rolling Hills Preparatory School Seven Arrows Elementary School 
    Sierra Canyon School 
    Sinai Akiba Academy 
    St. James’ Episcopal School St. Matthew’s Parish School Turning Point School 
    Valley Beth Shalom Day School Viewpoint School 
    Village School 
    Vistamar School 
    The Wesley School 
    Westerly School 
    Westland School 
    Westmark School 
    Westside Neighborhood School Westside Waldorf School Wildwood School 


Ready to apply?
Applicants for admission are accepted one year prior to the student's enrollment. If you have just found out you are moving to Los Angeles or if you have any questions, please feel free to call the admissions office for information.

The John Thomas Dye School


11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or 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, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.