The Lyceum
Summer Program
at Qualia
Summer 2026 Session
June 15th- July 24th
Open To Students From All Schools
Lyceum is Qualia’s after-school and summer enrichment program, serving students ages 10-16. Designed to satisfy the insatiable curiosity of highly motivated learners, Lyceum offers advanced, challenging courses with hands-on learning and higher-level thinking.
Lyceum’s polymathic teachers encourage deep inquiry, crafting learning experiences that stimulate critical thinking and promote intellectual agility. Classes are informed by Qualia’s commitment to providing gifted and highly curious kids with the limitless intellectual opportunities they crave but are not afforded elsewhere.
Lyceum offers courses across a wide range of topics, including STEM, philosophy, engineering, the humanities, the arts, and gaming. The learning environment is small and personalized, built around Qualia’s Oxford-Style Seminar model with fewer than ten students per class. By immersing students in a close-knit community of like-minded peers, Lyceum fosters self-awareness, imagination, and adaptability while maximizing critical engagement and intellectual depth.
We know that self-motivated learners long to have control over the direction of their learning and to contribute to the design of the learning process. Based on Qualia’s principle of democratic design, Lyceum students collaborate with the teacher to shape the curriculum and assignments, co-creating exciting challenges tailored to each group’s abilities and needs.
Custom build your summer!
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Mondays+Wednesdays
-
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM:
Merchandise Design and Branding
Tuesdays+Thursdays
-
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM:
Word Lab: Read, Write, Create
Fridays
-
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM:
Strategy Games
-
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM:
Experimental Robotics
-
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM:
SNAKES!
Summer 2026 Class Descriptions
All classes meet June 15th to July 24th, with an optional August extension based on demand. No classes on June 19 or July 3.
Merch Design and Branding
Led by the creative director of the successful Mister Parmesan apparel line, Sam Schiffer
In Brand + Product Studio, students take ideas all the way from concept to real-world product, guided by Sam Schiffer, a professional chef who built and sold his own apparel company. Students learn to identify problems worth solving, sketch and prototype by hand, design digitally, and ultimately bring their creations into physical production. Along the way, they develop skills in design thinking, engineering, branding, and entrepreneurship, gaining insight into how products actually get made and brought to market.
Mondays+Wednesdays, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm ($995)
June 15 to July 22
Word Lab: Read, Write, Create
Led by Qualia’s Humanities and Great Ideas Instructor Eve Hirschman
Word Lab is a freeform space for students to engage with the written word in ways that spark their creativity and interest. Students will have virtually unlimited opportunities to choose from, including: diving into a new (or favorite) book genre and enjoying thought-provoking guided discussion; writing passion projects such as stories, poems, or plays while receiving 1:1 feedback and coaching; exploring the relationship between their favorite visual media and its written components; or learning about character development and creation. Students will be supported in harnessing the full power of their imagination in an inspiring environment dedicated to exploring the art and love of language.
Tuesdays+Thursdays 1:30 am – 3:30 pm ($995)
June 16 to July 23
Experimental Robotics
Led by FIRST Robotics Championship Coach Emir Altug
Emir Altug guides students in exploring how machines interact with the physical world. Participants will design, build, and program robots while learning about mechanical systems, electronics, and coding. The course emphasizes experimentation, testing, and iterative problem-solving. Students will develop both technical skills and creative thinking through hands-on experiments with making Battlebots, LEGO Robotics, and more.
Fridays, 11 am – 1 pm ($414)
June 26 – July 24
Strategy Games
Led by a cohort of Qualia faculty and alumni
In Strategy Games, students enter a dynamic arena of competition, creativity, and critical thinking, exploring Chess, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and more. This class develops the ability to think several moves ahead, adapt to changing conditions, and make decisions under pressure. Students will learn core strategic principles: probability, resource management, game theory, and psychological insight. Whether calculating the perfect chess tactic, building a winning deck, or navigating complex narrative challenges, students strengthen focus, resilience, and flexible thinking in a highly engaging, social environment.
Fridays, 9 am to 11 am ($414)
June 26 – July 24
Snakes!
Led by Qualia Faculty and Special Guests!
Qualia faculty and special guests guide students in this hands-on course that explores the biology, behavior, and ecological role of snakes, A variety of live snakes will be brought into the classroom for close observation and guided interaction. Students will learn how snakes hunt, sense, and survive, while also developing a clear understanding of safety, risk, and real-world encounters. Equal parts thrilling and educational, this class replaces fear with knowledge and respect, offering a rare opportunity to experience the natural world up close in a way students won’t forget.
Fridays, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm ($414)
June 26 – July 24
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do classes meet?
All classes meet on Qualia’s campus in Calabasas:
4345 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(At Oak View and Las Virgenes Road)
Who can participate?
Students ages 10-16 may apply for Lyceum. Participants are accepted based on demonstrated curiosity, academic performance, and enthusiasm for learning.
How can I get more information?
Please call or email Daniel Rolnik at Qualia:
Email: Daniel@QualiaSchool.org
Call: 310-478-9900
How do we apply?
Please submit a separate application for each student here.