LightHouse welcomes a diverse community of young people who are ready for a new kind of learning experience. Our admissions process looks beyond conventional measures to focus on who you are, not just where you’ve been.

We do not rely on standard academic metrics—test scores, transcripts, or GPAs for admissions decisions. We want to understand what has and has not worked for you in other settings, but we know that past school performance is not always a reflection of future potential, especially in an environment like LightHouse.

Admission and waitlist placement are primarily determined on a first-come, first-served basis, reflecting our belief that any teen who is interested can benefit from our program.

However, to ensure a balanced and thriving learning community, we also consider the following factors:

Age: LightHouse serves teens ages 13–19, with occasional exceptions made at the discretion of our core staff. There is no ideal entry age; instead, we seek a healthy mix across age groups.

Capacity to Pay: As a nonprofit independent school, LightHouse offers sliding-scale tuition made possible by generous donors and funders. While ability to pay is never a sole deciding factor, we do consider it as we work to sustain a financially diverse and accessible program.

Background and Interests: We aim to build a community that reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and passions. What you share with us about your background, goals, and interests helps us shape a vibrant, inclusive learning environment.