When choosing a school for your child, it’s crucial to consider their unique learning needs and interests. Mirman and Chandler, two prominent co-educational schools for K-8 students in the Greater Los Angeles area, present distinct educational approaches. Mirman, known as the ‘Caltech of middle schools,’ boasts a rigorous curriculum with high intellectual expectations, requiring an IQ score of 138 or above for admission. In contrast, Chandler prioritizes a joyful learning environment, aiming to nurture students’ interests and foster a love for learning. This blog compares these two schools to assist you in making an informed decision.

Important Findings

1. Educational Philosophy and Teaching Style: Mirman School prioritizes academic rigor and gifted education, nurturing innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. In contrast, Chandler School emphasizes an interest-driven, relaxed approach with a focus on reading, actively promoting a pleasant and free learning environment to ignite students’ passion for learning.

2. Academics: Mirman and Chandler prioritize academic excellence by offering diverse educational resources. However, their approaches to advanced learning and academic enrichment differ significantly. Mirman School emphasizes depth, enabling students to master advanced concepts at their own pace through a flexible learning approach. In contrast, Chandler’s Middle School focuses on breadth, inspiring students with a variety of enriching options across a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills, with a particular emphasis on the sciences through a rich selection of elective courses.

3. Arts and Athletics: Mirman School emphasizes the development of athletic skills and distinguishes itself with outstanding music programs. while Chandler School focuses on traditional sports and offers a diverse array of artistic opportunities. Despite Chandler’s broader resources, Mirman’s commitment is evident through recent additions like esports, highlighting its dedication to evolving extracurricular activities.

4. Matriculation: Both Mirman and Chandler provide diverse graduation paths, with students from Mirman often attending prestigious institutions. Chandler students matriculate to a variety of high schools and colleges across different types and regions, showcasing a spectrum of opportunities.

5. Application: Mirman’s admission process comprises an I.Q. test, online application, parent interview, classroom visit, and recommendations, specifically emphasizing its dedication to gifted education through the focus on the I.Q. test. On the other hand, Chandler’s process, involving an online inquiry, parent interview, teacher evaluation, transcript submission, and the Character Skills Snapshot, highlights the school’s commitment to fostering character values, and unique life experiences.  

School Overview

Mirman School: Founded in 1962 and located in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California, Mirman is a co-ed day school that serves students from kindergarten to 8th grade. It stands as Southern California’s sole gifted children’s school, with a current enrollment of 420 students.

Chandler School: Established in 1950 and situated in Pasadena, California, Chandler is also a co-ed day school catering to students from kindergarten to 8th grade, with a total enrollment of 440 students.

Both Mirman and Chandler have received an overall ‘A’ rating on Niche, but Mirman boasts a more favorable teacher-to-student ratio. However, it is important to note that Mirman’s tuition is $12,000-$15000 higher per year than Chandler’s.

	Mirman	Chandler
Founded	1962	1950
Grades	K – 8	K – 8
Enrollment	420	440
Niche Rating	A+	A
Student-Faculty Ratio	1:5～1:6	1:9～1:12
Asian Student Percentage	20.3%	37%
Tuition Range	$40,530 – $44,800	$27,950 -$28,820

Comparative Analysis of Five Key Areas

1. Educational Philosophy and Teaching Style

Mirman: Academic Rigor, Gifted Education, Innovation-Focused

Mirman’s educational philosophy prioritizes academic rigor, consistently challenging and inspiring high-ability students to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them to become leaders of the next generation.

Gifted Education: Mirman is committed to ensuring that no limits are placed on what a child can learn. For this reason, Mirman presents an appropriate level of challenge for each student in every subject. In a Mirman math class, you might see one group working on modeling basic equations using operations, while another group focuses on solving advanced algebraic problems.

Chandler: Interest-Driven, Relaxed, Reading-Emphasized

Chandler’s educational philosophy is centered on interest-driven learning. The faculty at Chandler is dedicated to creating a pleasant, free, and relaxed learning environment to help students develop a passion for learning, independent thinking, and collaborative skills.

Reading-Emphasized: To ignite students’ interest in reading, Chandler has invested significant resources in establishing two dedicated libraries staffed with professional librarians. The school also hosts book clubs and various reading-related activities to encourage reading.

2. Academics

Mirman and Chandler schools are dedicated to promoting academic excellence, offering an abundance of educational resources through a diverse range of courses. Here is a sample list of their respective course offerings:

Mirman School Curriculum	Mirman Course Offerings
World Languages	Options include Latin, Spanish, or Mandarin language courses.
Distinctive Courses	Unique classes in art, drama, future studies, photography, and graphic design.
Electives	Programming and electronic music electives.
Mirman X Program	Encourages students to undertake community-benefiting projects, providing resources and expert guidance for innovative solutions, fostering entrepreneurial thinking.

Chandler School Curriculum	Chandler Course Offerings
Advanced Biology Electives	Explore advanced topics in biology.
STEM Electives	Engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Art Courses	Diverse offerings, including digital photography, ceramics, 3D design and printing, iMovie, and jewelry making.
Advanced Biology Course	Hands-on experiments with advanced biological tools, analyzing soil samples, cultivating bacteria, and extracting DNA fragments.
Group Discussions	Collaborative discussions to consolidate knowledge and explore experiment outcomes.

However, their approaches to advanced learning and academic enrichment diverge significantly in terms of the learning dimension: depth versus breadth.

Mirman School emphasizes the depth of learning and adopts a flexible approach to student progress, enabling them to delve profoundly into subjects, master advanced concepts, and advance at their own pace. For example, in 6th grade, students have the option to study algebra, which is typically covered in higher grades (8th to 10th) at other schools. This flexibility caters to the unique talents of Mirman’s students, and their middle school program goes even further by encompassing nearly the entire high school mathematics syllabus.

On the other hand, Chandler’s Middle School embraces a breadth of learning, inspiring student interests with a diverse range of enriching options and offering a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills. The school notably places a strong emphasis on the sciences, offering a rich selection of elective courses. For instance, in sixth grade, students delve into earth science, while seventh graders explore life science. By eighth grade, students are introduced to the fascinating world of physical science, covering both chemistry and physics. The dedicated science faculty at Chandler prioritizes hands-on labs and the practical application of scientific concepts, which play a crucial role in building students’ understanding, critical thinking, and analytical skills.

 3. Sports and Arts

Mirman prioritizes the cultivation of athletic skills and stands out for its exceptional music programs. In contrast, Chandler places emphasis on traditional sports and provides a wide range of artistic opportunities.

Although Chandler boasts more extensive resources in both sports and arts, Mirman has demonstrated a growing commitment to these areas. This is evident with the recent addition of esports to its offerings, showcasing the school’s dedication to evolving and diversifying its extracurricular activities.

	Mirman	Chandler
Sports	– Athletic skill development: basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, athletics, cross country. – San Fernando Valley Private School League participation. – Esports involvement: “Rocket League” competition with FIYA and 2021 Winter Esports Championship.	– Traditional sports: football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, athletics, tennis, swimming, golf, baseball, softball. – Sports facilities: full-size gym, sports fields, outdoor basketball court, volleyball courts. – Additional sports at Rose Bowl complex: swimming, tennis, soccer, flag football.
Arts	– A strong suit in music: choral programs led by Dr. Lauralie Pow. – Performance and touring groups: Mustang Chorus, award-winning Concert Singers. – Winter and spring music concerts annually.	– A broad spectrum of arts: visual arts, performing arts, music. – Professional artists on campus for discussions and workshops. – Annual family art gallery visit showcasing student art.

4. Matriculation

After completing their education at Mirman or Chandler, students set out on diverse educational journeys. Chandler provides a spectrum of opportunities, spanning various school types and regions. Meanwhile, Mirman stands out for its ability to facilitate access to well-established prestigious institutions, further enriching students’ educational paths. 

	Mirman	Chandler
High Schools	Harvard-Westlake Marlborough School Oakwood School Windward School Brentwood School	Harvard-Westlake Loyola High School Polytechnic Phillips Academy Andover The Webb Schools La Cañada High School Westridge St. Francis High School
Colleges	Brown University Georgetown University Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) University of Southern California (USC)	Harvard University University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Georgetown University Washington University in St. Louis University of Southern California (USC) Wake Forest University

 5. Application

The Mirman School application process comprises several steps. To start, parents arrange for their child to undergo an I.Q. test with an approved psychologist, with results meeting a qualifying score of 138. Following this, an online application link is provided. Parents or guardians then participate in an interview with the admission staff. For Grades 1-8 applicants, a half-day visit involves attending classes and taking part in an interview. Additionally, recommendations from administrators and teachers, along with student records, are essential components of the application requirements. The I.Q. test serves as a notable distinction in Mirman School’s application process, highlighting its focus on gifted education.

Mirman accepts the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) and the WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). Research has shown that the Wechsler test is one of the most well-designed tests to measure intelligence. Additionally, Wechsler offers up-to-date tests; the WISC-V was published in 2014, and the WPPSI-IV was published in 2012. These tests have been updated to consider broad cultural factors and allow for intelligence to be defined through several subtests. Children between the ages of 4 years and 7 years 7 months old can take the WPPSI-IV. Testing time typically runs 45-60 minutes. Children ages 6 years and older can take the WISC-V. Testing time typically runs 60-90 minutes.

Joining Chandler School also involves a structured application process. An initial inquiry through an online form is mandatory for all interested families. After submitting your application, Chandler School places emphasis on personal connection through a Parent Interview – a 30-minute meeting designed to comprehend each family’s alignment with the school’s core priorities. The process also involves a Teacher Evaluation, a Transcript of School Records for Grades 2-8 applicants, and the incorporation of the Character Skills Snapshot, an online self-assessment gauging students’ character skills preferences. This emphasizes the school’s commitment to fostering character values and promoting personal growth.

Application Deadlines

For prospective families considering Mirman and Chandler schools, important application dates demand attention. These dates are pivotal in navigating the admission process, ensuring a smooth and timely journey into the 2024 academic year.

Mirman School Important Dates:

December 8, 2023	I.Q. Test Results Due
January 5, 2024	Applications Due
January 12, 2024	Flexible Tuition Applications Due School Records and Recommendations Due
January 19, 2024	Interviews, Kindergarten Playdates, and Classroom Visits should be scheduled or completed by this date.
March 8, 2024	Notification of Admission Decision and Flexible Tuition Status
March 15, 2024	Enrollment Contracts Due

Chandler School Important Dates:

October 27, 2023	Sibling of a Current or Past Chandler Student Application Due (all grade levels)
December 8, 2023	Kindergarten Applications Due*Kindergarten applicants must be five years of age by September 1 of the entering year
January 5, 2024	Grades 1-8 Applications Due
January 5, 2024	Financial Aid Applications Due
January 30, 2024	All Supplemental Materials Due

In summary, both Chandler and Mirman offer solid foundations for pre-high school education. Mirman is a great choice for exceptionally gifted children, but it comes with heightened academic pressure and peer expectations. Chandler, excels in various areas, making it an ideal option for well-rounded students seeking to explore their full potential before entering high school. The choice between these schools should align with your child’s unique abilities and interests.

• Primary Data Source: Mirman School, Chandler School
• Secondary Data Source: US News, Niche

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