Late Applications for the class of 2030 - OPen Now until April 9th
The late application process includes the submission of recommendations, written work completed by the student, and parent/guardian forms. This application is open from February 9th - April 9th. If approved at this phase, late application will earn a waitlisted position in the Diploma Programme here at PHS.
What is a waitlisted position?
Waitlisted students will have access to the same prerequisite classes that all accepted students must take their Freshman and Sophomore year to prepare themselves for entering the Diploma Programme in the Junior and Senior years. Waitlisted students then reapply for the IB Diploma Programme at the end of their Sophomore year.
As a late applicant, these first two years at Palisade allow our staff and IB Diploma team to get to know you more as a learner and member of our school community. These two years function like an extended “interview” that allow us to observe your work habits, academic performance, dispositions, collaborative qualities, and relationships with peers and staff. In other words, the waitlisted status is not a denial of admission but rather an invitation to allow us to see you more authentically as an individual and better determine if the Diploma Programme is a good fit for you.
In addition to taking high-level courses, another benefit to coming to our school as a waitlisted student is that you will still have access to an IB education. All 9th and 10th-grade students at Palisade High School are part of the IB Middle Years Programme, which, like the IB Diploma Programme, emphasizes international-mindedness, interdisciplinary learning, inquiry, and critical thinking, as well as the growth of each student as a life-long learner and well-rounded global citizen.
Applications for the class of 2030 - CLOSED
This application process is split into two phases. The first phase includes the submission of recommendations, written work completed by the student, and parent/guardian forms. The second phase includes an interview and written essay at our building. The application was open December 8th, 2025 through January 21st, 2026. Approval at this phase grants students full acceptance access to the Diploma Programme here at PHS.
Applicants will be notified if they have advanced to the second phase of the application process on January 23rd via the parent and student email provided in the student’s application. The second phase of the application process will take place at Palisade High School on January 27th and 28th. Students will sign-up for one of these days via an email invite. After this phase, the committee will reconvene for final selection of accepted students. Applicants, from phase two, will be notified of final application status (accepted, denied, or waitlisted) on January 30th via email.
Evening Information Sessions for the class of 2030
These information sessions are an opportunity for students and their families to learn about the IB Diploma Programme, hear both the student and parent perspectives of the programme’s value, and ask questions. These sessions will be open to everyone regardless of location or school enrollment. Each session will be held from 6-7pm at the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, 11/12 - Palisade High School Library
Monday, 11/17 - Orchard Mesa Middle School Cafeteria
Thursday, 12/4 - Redlands Middle School Library
Tuesday, 12/9 - Bookcliff Middle School Library - Se habla español
Day Information Sessions For the Class of 2030
We will be traveling to each middle school to discuss the value of the IB Diploma Programme with the current 8th grade students and answer any questions you may have. Students currently enrolled in the programme will share their experiences and insights with prospective applicants. Look below for your school’s day and time:
Tuesday, 11/11 - Mount Garfield Middle School @ 8am
Wednesday, 11/12 - Grand Mesa Middle School @ 8am
Wednesday, 11/12 - Juniper Ridge @ 2pm
Monday, 11/17 - Bookcliff Middle School @ 8am - Se habla español
Tuesday, 11/18 - Independence Academy @ 8am
Tuesday, 11/18 - Orchard Mesa Middle School @ 2:45pm
Thursday, 11/20 - Holy Family Catholic School @ 2pm
Monday, 12/1 - West Middle School @ 8am
Tuesday, 12/2 - Fruita Middle School @ 8am
Tuesday, 12/9 - Redlands Middle School @ 8am
November 10th, 2025 - CLOSED
IB Diploma Programme applications for Sophomores (rising Juniors) currently enrolled at Palisade occurs from November 10th - November 26th, 2025.