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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Mirman School is a private, independent day school in Los Angeles designed specifically for highly gifted learners, serving 430 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio. Every applicant must complete an individual IQ test with a qualifying full-scale score of 138 or above. The file also includes teacher and administrator recommendations, academic records, and, for select applicants, a parent interview and student visit day. Applications are typically due in early December, with decisions released in mid-March.
Is Mirman School a Good School?
Mirman School is a standout choice for families raising a profoundly gifted child. Founded in 1962, Mirman serves students from Kindergarten through 8th grade and holds accreditation from both CAIS and WASC. The school consistently ranks in the top 20% of private schools in California and earns an A+ for academics on Niche.
What sets Mirman apart is its focus on gifted education. Designed for students with IQs of 138 and above, the school delivers an enriched, accelerated curriculum with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, giving students the kind of individualized attention associated with one-on-one tutoring. Mirman’s educational philosophy pairs academic rigor with a warm, emotionally supportive community, and graduates regularly go on to some of the country’s most competitive high schools.
Mirman School at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
| Total Enrollment | 430 students, Kindergarten-8th Grade |
| Average Class Size | 20-24 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 5:1 |
| Niche Overall Rating | A+ for Academics |
| Ranking | Top 20% of private schools in California |
| Accreditation | CAIS and WASC |
Student Diversity at Mirman
According to U.S. News, Mirman’s student body identifies as 43.1% White, 25.8% Multiracial, 23.1% Asian or Asian Pacific Islander, 4.5% African American, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Pacific Islander, reflecting the school’s efforts to build an inclusive community of gifted learners from a range of backgrounds.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Mirman School?
Mirman is genuinely selective, and for good reason. Every applicant must meet a strict cognitive threshold: a full-scale IQ of 138 or above, as measured by the WISC-V or Stanford-Binet. That requirement alone narrows the applicant pool considerably, since Mirman is designed for students whose intellectual needs go well beyond a typical classroom. The school also maintains an intimate learning environment, with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio and a total enrollment of 430, meaning every spot is genuinely competitive. Admissions decisions aren’t based on IQ score alone: Mirman also looks for curious minds, social-emotional readiness, and families who align with the school’s mission. Given the holistic nature of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand Mirman’s specific requirements.
Top Tips for Applying
- Schedule the required IQ test early with one of Mirman’s approved psychologists. Families entering at the youngest ages may also find our Kindergarten admissions guide useful.
- Apply for Kindergarten or 1st grade if possible; these are Mirman’s primary entry points, as openings in later grades are far more limited.
- Choose a teacher recommender who knows your child well and can speak to both academic strengths and personal qualities.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend a campus tour or Admission Open House to experience Mirman’s community firsthand.
- Submit school records and recommendations well ahead of the January deadline.
- If applying to Grades 5-8, understand that openings depend largely on attrition and are genuinely limited.
How to Apply to Mirman School
Getting into Mirman, especially in Grades 5 through 7, can involve a genuine waiting game. Openings at these grade levels usually depend on attrition, so while spots are rare, families are still encouraged to apply in case one becomes available. If an opening does occur, Mirman reaches out to select applicants for the next stages of the process, informed by what schools look for in applicants.
- Take an individual IQ test with a psychologist from Mirman’s approved list.
- Once results are received, submit the online application.
- Submit teacher and administrator recommendations electronically through the application portal.
- Provide academic records, submitted directly to Mirman by the student’s current school.
- If an opening is likely, attend a parent/guardian interview with the admissions staff.
- If selected, attend a Student Visit Day, where applicants join classes and meet peers and teachers.
For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.
Application Requirements
School Records
Mirman reviews recent report cards and progress notes to understand a child’s academic life so far, how they learn, what subjects they love, and whether they’re ready for Mirman’s pace. Families looking to strengthen grades before applying can turn to Cardinal Education’s tutoring and academic coaching programs.
Teacher Recommendations
No one sees a child in action quite like their current teacher, so Mirman asks them to weigh in on how the student participates, treats others, and responds to a new challenge. Choosing a recommender who knows the child well and giving them context well in advance goes a long way toward a strong letter.
The IQ Test: Understanding the 138+ Score Requirement
Every applicant takes an official IQ test with a psychologist from Mirman’s approved list, with a qualifying score typically of 138 or higher, since Mirman is designed specifically for profoundly gifted learners. While families cannot technically study for an IQ test, thoughtful preparation can help: Cardinal Education offers test preparation to help students feel more comfortable with the types of thinking and problem-solving the assessment covers.
The Parent Interview
Parents are interviewed too, in a conversation rather than an interrogation. Mirman wants to learn about the child through the family’s eyes, understand why the family believes Mirman is the right fit, and assess alignment between family values and the school’s mission. Cardinal Education offers interview preparation to help families craft talking points and walk in with confidence.
Ready to Build Your Child’s Mirman Application Strategy?
Our consultants help families navigate the IQ testing process and prepare for the parent interview.
What Student Life Is Like at Mirman School
Academics
Mirman’s curriculum blends acceleration with added depth and complexity, reflecting a personalized learning approach. Rather than following a strict grade-level model, students are grouped by ability, so a student ready to tackle algebra two years early can do so while still learning alongside peers their own age.
The MirmanX initiative empowers students to develop and execute their own projects, blending entrepreneurial thinking with hands-on design. Interdisciplinary, STEAM-focused lessons bridge science, art, and technology, and a service-learning component aligns with the Learning for Justice Anti-Bias Education Framework.
While Mirman doesn’t publish a traditional graduation rate, since its program ends at 8th grade, its alumni regularly go on to attend some of the most competitive high schools in the country, including Harvard-Westlake, Crossroads, and boarding schools like Andover and Choate.
Upper School (Grades 5-8)
Upper School students take part in seminar-style LEAP classes taught by professionals from a range of fields, from animators to scientists, and work on independent projects through MirmanX. Students also take part in full-scale theater productions, student council, and an active Social Justice Collective, alongside student-run clubs and affinity groups.
Extracurriculars
Mirman’s extracurriculars include robotics and coding clubs, theater productions, visual arts workshops, and a literary magazine. Student government offers leadership experience, and the Social Justice Collective gives students a platform to engage with issues they care about, alongside math teams, debate, and entrepreneurial opportunities through MirmanX.
Athletics
Mirman’s athletics program offers both competitive and recreational opportunities for students in 4th through 8th grade, spanning:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Flag Football
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Volleyball (across 11 teams)
Notable Alumni
Mirman’s alumni include:
- Masi Oka (actor, Heroes and Hawaii Five-0)
- Crispin Glover (actor, Back to the Future)
- Lilla Crawford (Broadway actress, Annie, and star of Disney’s Into the Woods)
- David Dorfman (actor, The Ring)
- Benjamin Karney (Professor of Social Psychology at UCLA)
- Eugene Volokh (Professor at UCLA School of Law)
- Nathan Myhrvold (former Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft)
- Philippe Cousteau Jr. (environmental advocate and grandson of Jacques Cousteau)
These are the kind of outcomes reflected in Mirman’s results.
What Families Say
Mirman was new territory for us, being a school for gifted kids. Allen helped us understand what mattered beyond just test scores, and worked with our daughter to put together an application that reflected how gifted she is. We’re genuinely thankful for how much easier that made things.
— Parent from Mirman School
Your Partner in Mirman School Admissions Success
Mirman’s IQ-based, holistic process rewards families who prepare thoughtfully for the required testing, recommendations, and parent interview. Cardinal Education helps families build choosing the right admissions consultant into their strategy for each stage of that process.
Asian American families applying to Mirman can find guidance tailored to their specific priorities in our dedicated Mirman School guide for Asian American families.
Considering Mirman School?
Our consultants help families navigate Mirman’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.
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