Connecticut State Department of Education

School Choice

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  • Agricultural Science and Technology (ASTE)

    Agricultural Science and Technology Education (ASTE) programs serve secondary students in full- and shared- time programs. ASTE programs prepare students for college and careers in animal science, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, aquaculture, biotechnology, food science, marine technology, natural resources, and plant science.

  • Apply to a School Choice Program

    The Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CSDE) commitment to public school choice is evident in the different types of public school choice programming available statewide.

  • Charter Schools

    Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are run independently of the school district and may also have a specialized focus. Charters are granted by the State Board of Education and schools may enroll students in Grades PK-12 as established in their charters.

  • Connecticut School Choice

    The Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CSDE) commitment to public school choice is evident in the five different types of public school choice programming available statewide.

  • Connecticut Technical Education and Career System

    The mission of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) is to provide a world-class, unique and rigorous learning environment for high schools students and adult learners that ensures both student academic success and trade/technology mastery and instills a zest for lifelong learning.

  • Explore Your Choices

    Connecticut public school choice programs are an opportunity to raise student achievement and reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation. Explore your choices by finding a school or district program.

  • Guidelines for Alternative Education Settings

    These guidelines are designed to support the operation of alternative education settings (schools or programs) offered by local and regional boards of education. The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure improved program designs and greater outcomes for students in alternative education settings.

  • Homeschooling in Connecticut

    Homeschooling as an Option to Public School Education

  • Magnet Schools

    School Choice programs and interdistrict magnet schools are designed to attract students from different school districts to learn together in settings that offer unique, high-quality, themed educational opportunities.

  • Open Choice Programs

    The Open Choice program allows urban students to attend public schools in nearby suburban towns.

  • Public School Choice In Connecticut 

    Information on the five different types of public school choices available statewide.

  • RSCO Homepage

    The Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) was created in partnership with operator districts to manage the Open Choice and magnet school choice process in response to the Milo Sheff, et al. v. William O’Neill, et al case and the decision in 1997.

  • What is School Choice?

    The term “school choice” means parents have an additional opportunity to choose the schools their child will attend for an elementary and secondary education. Based on both state and federal laws, Connecticut public school choice programs are an opportunity to raise student achievement and to “reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation” as described in the 1997 Enhancing Education Choices and Opportunities Act (Public Act 97-290).