Information on the Application Process for the Firestone CLC IB program

Admission into Firestone CLC is based on two factors - residence in the Firestone cluster, which is the surrounding neighborhoods, and application and acceptance into the school through the Open Enrollment (OE) process.  Currently, the only OE options for Firestone CLC are through application, audition and acceptance into the Akron School for the Arts and through application and acceptance into the International Baccalaureate program.  The only other means of admission is if the neighborhood enrollment does not exceed the district allowed attendance numbers.  If you are not in Firestone's cluster, you must complete both the OE application and the IB application.

Admission Policy for FCLC IB DP Program

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is an extremely rigorous college-preparatory academic program leading to external exams and designed for highly motivated and achievement-oriented students. The program features an interdisciplinary liberal arts education in foreign language, science, mathematics, English, social studies and electives. It is widely regarded as the most challenging high school curriculum in the world. The IB diploma recipients are exceptionally well-equipped to excel in the top colleges and universities in the United States and abroad.

Several characteristics have been identified as contributing to successful participation in the IB Diploma program. These include:

• Self-motivation and self-discipline

• Attendance

• Academic preparation in mathematics (Algebra I or beyond in the 8th grade)

• Academic preparation in foreign language (One or more years of experience in a given foreign language prior to entering 9th grade)

• Academic preparation in Language Arts

• Academic achievement (GPA of 3.0 overall with 3.25 in core subjects)

• Academic potential (Standardized test scores equivalent to the 80th percentile or higher)

The above characteristics will be evaluated through school records, standardized test scores, a writing sample and through statements of recommendation. A lack in any one of these areas may not prevent an applicant from participating successfully in the IB Program. The IB Program is for the academically motivated student more than for the academically gifted student. The teacher recommendation regarding a student’s work ethic and his/her zest for learning is the most important factor in identifying potential IB candidates.

The Application Process

Students are to: 

1. 1. Complete the Student/Parent information portion of the application and provide a writing sample.  This can be done in hard copy or in digital format.

   2. Email/digitally share the teacher recommendation forms to the selected teachers to complete. They will forward the forms to the IB office at Firestone CLC. Students must have a recommendation from a math teacher, a language arts teacher, and a third teacher in a subject area of their choice.  

   3. Email/digitally share the counselor form to the current school counselor and he/she will complete the form, attach the necessary documents, and forward the application and documents to the IB office at Firestone CLC. The counselor is asked to share the following information/documents: a transcript, any high stakes assessment data such as Ohio State Tests, Iowas, etc., a current report card, and an Individualized Education Plan if applicable.

   4. Students are to be aware of deadline dates indicated on the forms.  All applications must be completed and submitted by a required date in December.

   5. Sudent applications can be completed digitally (google forms) or in hardcopy.  Hard copies are available in the Firestone CLC Main Office or as PDFs below.  At this time, teacher and counselor forms are digital only, unless a hard copy is picked up in the main office.

Special Circumstances and Open Enrollment to Firestone

1. If a student is also applying for APS Open Enrollment (OE) to Firestone CLC, students and parents should ensure that they are aware of the OE application requirements and the accompanying deadlines.  The webpage with information is linked above.

2. Once completed, all applications will be reviewed by a committee of IB Instructors as well as the Guidance Counselor as to potential success for each student in the IB DP program.  

3. When all decisions are made as to who is accepted into the program, letters will be sent to both those accepted and those not accepted in a timely manner.

4. If a student is already a member of the Firestone CLC community and wishes to apply during their freshmen or sophomore year, the process is amended to simply completing the student application and acquiring teacher recommendations.  The data and recommendation for the counselor will be the responsibility of the IB Coordinator.

5. Once all final decisions have been made as to acceptances and non-acceptances, students will be alerted to their acceptance status via mail.  Students will then need to make contact with the Firestone CLC Counseling office for information on enrollment and class scheduling.