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, you will begin to receive information about the admissions process, including next steps. An inquiry form must be completed in order to gain access to the application in August.

    Our application for the 2024-25 school year will be available on Monday, August 21, 2023. The first date to submit your child's application for the 2024-25 school year will be Thursday, September 21, 2023. Applicant families currently affiliated with JTD (sibling, legacy, faculty) are asked to submit their applications on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

    We limit the number of Kindergarten applicants we process to 70 boys and 70 girls, and often we reach that number in the first few days. We will honor all applications submitted on Thursday, September 21, even once we meet our applicant number. Subsequent Kindergarten applications received will be directed to our wait pool. 

    Transfer student applications (Grades 1-6) are accepted through January 4, 2024. Based on scheduling availability, we encourage families to submit their applications prior to the January deadline.

    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 Financial Assistance. Families applying for assistance will automatically have their application fee waived.

    Please contact the Admissions Office if you have questions.

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

    In order to apply to our Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year, boys must be five years old by June 1, 2024, and girls must be five years old by August 1, 2024. A similar birthdate timeline extends to Grades 1-6. Families should always apply to the grade that directly corresponds with the stated birthday cutoff date.  

    The integrity of the class dynamic is determined by many factors, including chronological age. While we recognize that chronological age and developmental age can appear differently when children are younger, this gap tends to narrow as students become older. It is not in the best interest of a grade to have children who are significantly older or younger than their grade-level peers.

    All of our grade levels, but especially our Kindergarten, are designed to meet children where they are developmentally. We strive to create grade levels that are composed of children within a set age range and recognize that within this age range will also be an array of corresponding developmental skills. When a child's birthdate falls close to the cutoff date, the School will always ask a family to still apply in that year. In some cases, in consultation with the family and preschool, it may be determined it is in a child's best interest to reapply the following year. If a family applies for a year outside the cutoff date, the School reserves the right to determine if the child should be considered for the grade associated with their birthday.

  • What is the School's perspective on affiliated applicants?

    We consider ourselves a family school and hope, whenever possible, to provide a JTD education to qualified siblings of current students, children of faculty, and children of alumni who have sustained a positive relationship since graduating. We know how connected these affiliated families feel to the mission and values of JTD, and we strive to honor the importance of their commitment to the school community.

    While it remains our wish to continue to build upon a family’s legacy and honor their commitment to the School, given the increasing number of affiliated applicants, we are often unable to offer enrollment to all qualified affiliated students who apply within a given year. We encourage families to consider multiple options when applying to independent schools to ensure they have the opportunity to make an informed decision about their child’s education. In addition, the school's longstanding policy is that it may accept up to 40% non-affiliated families in the Kindergarten grade.

    Siblings of current JTD students, children of current JTD employees, and children of JTD graduates will be evaluated in the early fall of the application year. Admissions decisions will be relayed according to LAIS (Los Angeles Independent Schools) notification guidelines and affiliated applicants may receive an acceptance, a wait list, or a non-acceptance decision at that time.


  • How diverse is the student population at JTD?

    At JTD, we are committed to building an inclusive community that understands and values the diverse world in which we live. Our families come from all parts of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas and represent a cross-section of our city. 

    In the 2022-23 school year, 46% of our students identified as students of color based on the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) categories. In addition, approximately $1.3 million in Financial Assistance is awarded each year to ensure that a family’s finances do not hinder a student’s ability to attend the School.

    More information about JTD’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging can be found here.

  • 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?

    We are happy to offer in-person and virtual campus tours to our prospective parents/guardians applying for the 2024-2025 school year. Please fill out an inquiry form to receive more information about campus tours. Please note, tours do fill up quickly.

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

    Tuition for the 2023-24 school year is $38,900 for 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 approximately $1.3 million for Financial Assistance each year.

    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 the fall. Families applying for Financial 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 2024 admission: 

    Grades 9-12: Notification letters will be sent on Friday, March 8, 2024 
    Email notifications can be sent at 5:00pm on Friday, March 8, 2024 
    Replies will be due on Friday, March 15, 2024, by 12:00pm 

    Grades K-8: Notification letters will be sent on Friday, March 8, 2024 
    Email notifications can be sent starting at 5:00pm on Friday, March 8, 2024 
    Replies will be due on Friday, March 15, 2024, 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.