ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS | 2025-2026

In order to be eligible for the Middle Grades Instrumental Music Program at The Conservatory School (TCS), students must:

• Be a resident of Palm Beach County at the time of application.
• Submit a timely application to the School District of Palm Beach County Choice Program Department.
• Successfully participate in and complete an audition process and earn a qualifying score.
• The names of all qualifying students will then be submitted to the Department of Choice and Career Options for a random lottery selection process.
• If there are more qualified students than spaces available in the program, the final selection of students will take place through the lottery selection process. Students not initially selected will be placed in a wait pool.
• TCS considers students for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade admission. However, the majority of student spots are for incoming 6th graders.

School District of Palm Beach County Non-Discrimination Statement

The School Board of Palm Beach County, Florida, prohibits discrimination in admission to or access to, or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, religion, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic prohibited by law. The School Board also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The School District of Palm Beach County offers the following career and technical programs, including career academies wherein students may earn industry certification, visit the Programs of Study page for more information as well as a list of classes.

Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation. The School District may assess each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.

Admissions Process | 2025-2026

(1) Apply
Submit a Choice Application with the School District of Palm Beach County Choice and Career Options Department.

Applications are due Friday, December 6, 2024.

Applications are available online at www.mypbchoiceapp.com. After you complete the online application, you will receive a confirmation email. Make sure to keep your Choice application login information available to access the website in the future.

If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, please email or bring it to The Conservatory School following your submission of the application. You may email the plan to Choice Program Coordinator, Brooke Brink, at Brooke.Brink@palmbeachschools.org.

Only one application may be submitted per student. For online applications, one application selection change will be allowed prior to December 6, 2025.

Either one or two choices are allowed on the application and should be rated as first and second preferences. First and second choices do NOT have equal chances of being selected.

The address on the application must match the address as listed in the School District student database. Pursuant to Florida Statute, Section 92.525 and under penalties of perjury, parents/guardians will sign the application verifying that the information stated in the application is true and correct.

(2) Audition Appointment
All students must complete an audition before they can be considered eligible for admission to The Conservatory School.

Students who have a completed application with the Choice and Career Options Department will be scheduled for an audition. You will be notified via email about the audition process and the time and date of the audition.

You will receive this email by Friday, January 10, 2025. If you submitted a completed Choice application and do not receive an email about the audition by January 10, please contact the Choice Program Coordinator.

(3) Audition Preparation
Prepare for your Audition by following the guidelines provided in this packet. Students should be prepared to audition as early as January 28. 2025.

(4) Audition
Auditions will be 'blind' where the student will not be able to see the adjudicators and the adjudicators will not be able to see the student. Adjudicators will be able to hear the student perform. Students will see a TCS staff member who will guide them through the audition.

If a student becomes ill and is unable to audition on the scheduled date, written verification documenting the illness from a doctor must be presented to the school within three (3) days of the date of the scheduled audition. A new audition date and time will be selected by the school ONLY if there are additional audition dates available. Students who have not auditioned before the scheduled lottery will not be eligible for the initial lottery process.

(5) Notification of Results
The Choice and Career Options Department will send out notification of a student’s acceptance or wait pool status in April 2025.

If your child is placed in an applicant wait pool, it is because there are more eligible applicants than available seats. Students in the wait pool will be selected via lottery, on a random basis, as openings occur. The wait pool lottery is again conducted by the Choice and Career Options Department within the School District.

Appeals Process: Parents who believe their child was not allowed an equitable opportunity to a Choice school during the Audition or eligibility process due to a technical error or inequity may request an appeal. An Application for Appeal of Choice Program Eligibility (PBSC Form 2418) must be submitted to the Director of Choice and Career Options within ten school days from the date of the notification indicating the child’s program assignment, wait pool status, or program ineligibility.

For more information about Choice and Career Options Programs, go to: http://fl50010848.schoolwires.net/choiceprograms/.

Audition Registration | 2025-2026

Information about registering for an audition will be sent via email to all applicants in January 2025. A parent, guardian, or another adult representing the student will set up the audition appointment on an online scheduling platform.
Students should be prepared to participate in an audition as early as January 28. 2025.

ESE/504/ELL Students
When you sign up for an audition appointment, you will be prompted to indicate if your child has an IEP, 504, or ELL plan. If your child has a current IEP or 504 plan, please If you child has an IEP or 504 plan, please email it or bring it to The Conservatory School following your submission of the application. You may email the plan to the Choice Program Coordinator, Brooke Brink, at Brooke.Brink@palmbeachschools.org.

Failure of a student to accept accommodations at the time of an audition is NOT grounds for an appeal.

Private school students without a School District IEP of a School District 504 Plan may also request allowable audition accommodations if the parent provides appropriate documentation for the student’s disability to the school at the Audition Registration Session.

Parents of students identified as Gifted do NOT need to bring the student’s Education Plan (EP) to the audition.

If you have any questions about IEP, 504, or ELL plans and accommodations during the audition, please contact our ESE Coordinator. ESE Coordinator Office: 561.494.1832.

Audition Process

On the following pages are the specific audition requirements for the audition. Please read these carefully so that your child will be fully prepared for his/her audition. Auditions are scored using a rubric and an incomplete audition presentation will result in a loss of points. Students who are well prepared with all audition requirements and who are motivated to attend The Conservatory School will enjoy the audition experience.

Music - Band

Students may audition on the following instruments:
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet Bass, Clarinet Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion

At the audition, students will complete the following tasks:

1. Perform a major scale.
2. Perform an exercise that demonstrates their highest level of ability. An accompanist is not permitted.
3. Complete a Sight Reading exercise.
4. Students will be judged on pitch accuracy, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, expressiveness, technique, musical effect, and the ability to produce a major scale.

NOTE: Percussion/Drums - Students perform an exercise demonstrating their highest level of ability on a snare drum.

Music - String Orchestra

Students may audition on the following instruments:
Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass

At the audition, students will complete the following tasks:

1. Perform a major scale.
2. Perform an exercise that demonstrates their highest level of ability. An accompanist is not permitted.
3. Complete a Sight Reading exercise.
4. Students will be judged on pitch accuracy, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, expressiveness, technique, musical effect, and the ability to produce a major scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where is The Conservatory School Middle School (TCSMS) located?
A. TCSMS is located at 401 Anchorage Drive in North Palm Beach.

Q. How many choices are allowed on the Choice Program Application?
A. Either one or two choices are allowed on the Choice Program Application. Applicants rate choices as first and second preferences. Two program choices may be selected as The Conservatory School. However, first and second choices do NOT have equal chances of being selected.

Q. Is there a required grade point average for entrance into TCSMS?
A. No. However, students must be eligible for the grade level they are auditioning for per the School District of Palm Beach County.

Q. Are there audition accommodations for students with current IEP or 504 plans?
A. Yes. A parent/guardian Must Upload a copy of the child’s current IEP or 504 Plan (public school students) or medical evaluation (private school students) with the Choice Program Application in order to ensure audition accommodations. If you are unable to locate the plan, contact your child’s current school for assistance.

Q. What if a student speaks English as a second language?
A. Translation services can be provided to students who speak English as a second language. The parent should contact Brooke.Brink@palmbeachschools.org for assistance.

Q. Does TCSMS’s  academic program offer varied level classes?
A. Yes, TCSMS offers gifted, advanced, and regular classes, as well as high school level classes in math.

Q. Is transportation provided for students who attend TCSMS?
A. The School District of Palm Beach County provides transportation to eligible students per the SDPBC guidelines for transporting students.
Save the date
 DEPARTMENT CHOICE AND CAREER OPTIONS SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS
at the South Florida Fairgrounds
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The School District of Palm Beach County Department of Choice and Career Options 
fl50010848.schoolwires.net/choiceprograms
(561) 434-8755