Admission FAQS

13501 Terminal Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44135

No, Bard High School Early College is not a private school. It is a public early college high school operated through a partnership between Bard College and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

No. While BHSEC Cleveland shares some characteristics with charter schools, such as autonomy in hiring administrators and faculty, we operate as a partnership between Bard College and the local public school system. As a college, BHSEC Cleveland does not use a lottery-based admissions process. Our campus is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between Bard College and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

All residents within the Cleveland Metropolitan and surrounding areas. 

Through a Memorandum of Understanding between Bard College and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, BHSEC Cleveland shapes its curriculum, first and foremost, as a rigorous course of study in the liberal arts and sciences that meets Bard College requirements for a general education during the first two years of college. While students take local standardized assessments, those assessments do not drive the Bard curriculum or the material taught in the classroom; to the extent possible, state and local required assessments are given during the 9th and 10th grades so that they do not interfere with the associate in arts degree curriculum taught in the 11th and 12th grades. Students have choice over courses within the academic disciplines offered at Bard: Division of the Arts, Division of Languages and Literature, Division of Mathematics and Sciences, and Division of Social Sciences

The Bard High School Early College model allows all enrolled students the opportunity to earn an associate in arts degree from Bard College, worth approximately 60 transferable credits, completely free of charge. This saves students and their families up to two years of college tuition, fees, and related costs.  While there are additional costs of providing a college program in high school, Bard relies on funding from public and private sources to ensure that costs are not passed on to students and families.  

Yes, Information Sessions are held each month and it is a great opportunity for families to learn more about Bard College and BHSEC Cleveland. Please see the announcement tab for Information Session Dates.

Typically, BHSEC Cleveland offers a shadowing experience for qualifying applicants. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we have suspended the shadowing program.

BHSEC Cleveland is currently accepting applications for incoming 9th and 10th grade students. 

Applicants are notified of their admissions status within a week of their completed application, which includes the interview, writing assessment and submitted required documentations. 

For general information about Bard Early College, click here.

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