BARD EARLY COLLEGE CLEVELAND

Bard Early College Cleveland is a Title I public high school that is part of the Cleveland Municipal school district, located in Cleveland, OH with about 433 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 15 teachers, Bard Early College Cleveland has a student/teacher ratio of about 28:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Bard Early College Cleveland (BECC) is a unique partnership between the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Bard College, designed to bridge the gap between high school and higher education. Located in the West Park neighborhood, the school offers students a rigorous, tuition-free program that allows them to earn both a high school diploma and up to 60 transferable college credits—essentially an associate degree—simultaneously. By embedding a college-preparatory curriculum within the high school experience, BECC provides students with early exposure to scholarly inquiry and academic independence.

The school is defined by its "liberal arts and sciences" philosophy, which emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and small-group seminars rather than traditional rote memorization. Faculty members, many of whom hold advanced degrees, guide students through college-level courses that satisfy both district graduation requirements and Bard College credits. This model is particularly impactful for students who are looking for an intellectually demanding environment that fosters maturity and academic readiness, effectively preparing them for success at four-year universities or professional pathways well before they graduate from high school.

For more information, contact Bard Early College Cleveland at (216) 838-9700 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.