This is the open enrollment period in Akron Public Schools, which allows families to decide which learning centers best fit their children.
Elementary and middle school students may select up to two schools they want to transfer to, and high school students receive three choices. Families often consider switching schools when they discover an education setting — a teacher, program or learning approach — that better fits their child’s needs or interests. High school students, for instance, can explore a range of career pathways. These pathways vary at each school.
Open enrollment began Oct. 1 and will close Dec. 15.
If you want to visit a high school prior to filling out the open enrollment application, you’re in luck. APS is currently holding open houses for buildings and programs across the district.
Each open house is organized as a showcase, with themes and events for attendees. (Events for STEM Middle School and Garfield CLC took place in recent days.) See the remaining schedule below.
- Oct. 27 and Oct. 29: Akron Early College High School open house, 5:45-7:30 pm.
- Oct. 28: East CLC showcase: Fire Up the Future, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29: Ellet CLC Fall Family Showcase, 5-6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 30: STEM High School showcase: Innovators of Tomorrow – STEM in Action, 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 2: Firestone CLC showcase: Falcon Family, 1-3 p.m.
- Nov. 5: North High School Community Showcase, 4-6 p.m.
- Nov. 6: Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts open house, 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 20: Buchtel CLC Harvest Festival Community Showcase, 5-8 p.m.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more about the various College and Career Pathway opportunities, follow this link. Each high school has various pathways, and APS has scored high on state metrics for its college and career readiness programs.
What is APS open enrollment?
Open enrollment is a policy where families can choose which public school to enroll their child into as opposed to attending the nearest school to their home.
Typically, there are two options: intradistrict and interdistrict.
With intradistrict, parents choose which school their child attends within their current school district. (Think transferring a student from Sam Salem Community Learning Center to Helen Arnold CLC.) With interdistrict, parents can choose to send their child to a nearby public school district.
What do you need to open enroll across APS?
If your child is already an APS student and you haven’t moved in the past year, you only need to upload a parent/guardian photo ID to the registration portal. You’ll also have to fill out the form, answer several questions and rank two preferred schools.
If your student is not currently enrolled in APS, you’ll need to upload several documents: student’s proof of birth, immunization record, parent/guardian photo ID and two proofs of residency (official mail that uses the parents’ name, address and a current date), custody papers (if applicable) and any specialized education plans such as an Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan.
There are two important caveats. If your child is already open enrolled in the school you desire, you do not need to reapply. APS will keep your kid in that school and cluster. Finally, if you do open enroll, bussing will not be available for your student, with the exception of National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School in downtown Akron.
Is my student guaranteed to be enrolled into any APS school they want?
No, your student isn’t guaranteed to get into their first choice school, which is why the district asks parents to rank choices in the application. Siblings receive priority in placement for non-speciality school transfers.
Beyond rankings, APS has several specialty schools that require additional application materials.
- Akron Early College High School
- Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC
- The International Baccalaureate Program at Firestone CLC
- Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts
- NIHF STEM Middle Schools and NIHF STEM High School
Some of these, such as the STEM High School and Akron Early College, decide acceptance based on student academics. NIHF STEM Middle School is lottery-based, so if your child isn’t selected, they’ll be placed on a waitlist. Miller South and the School for the Arts at Firestone CLC require auditions. Firestone allows auditions for up to two art interest areas, with each having specific audition requirements.
With a few exceptions, Miller South only accepts students entering grades 4 and 6. Rising fourth graders must attend an open call to be considered. Students entering sixth grade must complete a formal audition.