Open Enrollment for the 2027-28 School Year
Choose APS!
There are so many reasons to Choose APS! Our specialty schools and programs, Essential Experiences SM for grades PreK-5, College & Career Academies, expanded learning, family support and more are designed to help your student meet their goals and be prepared to succeed with their post-graduation plans.
Families interested in exploring APS specialty schools or school options outside of your neighborhood school must open enroll during our designated period from October 1-December 15, 2026.
Akron Public Schools accepts open enrollment transfers from one Akron public school to another and open enrollment transfers from other districts. Students from school districts throughout Ohio (not just surrounding school districts) may apply for open enrollment into Akron Public Schools. All open enrollment guidelines and application deadlines must be met for an application to be processed and reviewed for placement. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee placement, as placement is based on space availability.
To learn more, visit our specialty school open houses:
- Aug. 10: Akron Early College High School Open House, 5-7 p.m.
- Aug. 20: NIHF STEM Middle School Open House, 10 a.m.-noon or 5-7 p.m.
- Oct. 29: NIHF STEM High School Open House, 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 5: Miller South Middle School Open House, 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 5: NIHF STEM Middle School Open House, 5-7 p.m.
Or visit our high school 2026 showcases:
- Oct. 9: East CLC Showcase, 4-7 p.m.
- Oct. 22: Garfield CLC Showcase, 5-6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 27: North High School Community Showcase, 4-6 p.m.
- Oct. 28: Ellet CLC Showcase, 5-6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29: STEM HS 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 1: Firestone CLC Showcase, 1-3 p.m.
- Nov. 19: Buchtel CLC Showcase, 5-8 p.m.
Before You Apply
Before you apply, gather the following required enrollment documents.
Specialty Programs, Pathways and General Open Enrollment
APS requires an open enrollment application if you select any school outside of your designated neighborhood or assigned school. Some schools and programs have special audition or enrollment requirements in addition to the open enrollment application.
Open Enrollment 2027-28
Students within APS and from outside the district may open enroll for the next school year during the district's open enrollment period. Open enrollment does not guarantee acceptance into a school, specialty program or pathway.
Early Learning: Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten
Our early learning programs build a strong foundation. Preschool and Pre-K nurture academic and social-emotional growth, while Kindergarten transitions students into foundational reading, math, and structured learning.
Middle Schools
Akron Public Schools offers engaging middle school environments that help students bridge the gap between elementary and high school. Students can explore new interests through diverse academic pathways, clubs, and athletic programs designed specifically for early adolescents.
High Schools
Students wishing to change high schools to pursue a new College & Career Academies pathway must open enroll. Once accepted, they may apply to their top three pathway choices. APS is not able to guarantee first-choice pathways.
Akron Early College High School
AECHS is a joint venture between APS and The University of Akron and is designed for first-generation college students. Graduates will have 60+ college credit hours and an Associate of Arts or Science degree.
Miller South VPA
Miller South is accepting students entering grades 4 and 6 only. Students entering grade 4 must attend an open call. Students entering grade 6 must audition for one arts interest area. Both grades must complete an open enrollment application.
Akron School for the Arts
Students wishing to attend Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC must complete the open enrollment and audition processes. They may audition for up to two arts interest areas. Each arts interest area has specific audition requirements.
International Baccalaureate
K-8
Students considering attending an International Baccalaureate Primary or Middle Years Programme may open enroll into one of four elementary schools or one middle school in the Firestone cluster. Application does not guarantee enrollment.
International Baccalaureate - High School
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Firestone CLC is an extremely rigorous college-prep academic program. Students must open enroll, complete an application and receive recommendations to be considered for admission.
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STEM High School
New students wishing to attend STEM High School will open enroll. Spots are filled via lottery. NIHF STEM Middle School students are automatically enrolled. Once accepted, students will be able to apply for their top three pathway choices.
NIHF STEM Middle School
NIHF STEM Middle School is accepting applications for students entering grades 5 and 6 (limited spots for sixth-graders). Students who open enroll and are considered eligible will enter the lottery.
Open Enrollment FAQs
- When is my application due?
- Who do I contact if I have any questions?
- What if my student doesn’t get in to their first choice school?
- What is considered a specialty school/ program?
- What documents are required for open enrollment?
- What happens if we do not have all the required documents by the deadline?
- My student is already open enrolled to the school I want. Do I need to re-apply?
- If I open enroll my student, will bussing be available?
- I have a student in the APS Early Learning Program (preschool) and I am having problems submitting my application. What do I need to do to get it to submit?
- I have two children, can I put them on the same application?
- When will we know if my student is accepted?
- How will we be notified?
- If I have a child already enrolled into the building, do I have to apply for open enrollment to get a sibling there?
- How do we let you know our top school choice?