Descriptions of Choice Schools

Magnet School (Theme-based Interdistrict schools in the Greater Hartford Region)

• Magnet school offer unique programs that focus on specific themes, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Visual and Performing Arts; International Baccalaureate (IB); and Montessori.
• Students entering PK (age 3) to grade 12 may apply to a magnet school.
• Hartford and non-Hartford residents may apply to attend magnet schools within the Greater Hartford area.
• Applicants may choose up to five (5) schools and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.

Open Choice Schools (Interdistrict school options in the Greater Hartford Region)

• Open choice provides opportunities for students to attend schools outside of their home district for challenging academics and enriching extracurricular options.
  • Hartford residents entering PK (age 4) through grade 10 may apply to school districts located outside of Hartford based on their residential zone.
    • Applicants may choose up to five (5) districts and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.
  • Non-Hartford residents entering kindergarten through grade 8 may apply to attend select public schools located in Hartford with specialized programming.
    • Applicants may choose all available options for their applying grade. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.
    • Non-Hartford families interested in applying to Renzulli Academy will need to complete a separate application through the Hartford Public School System. For more information about how to apply, contact the school directly at 860-695-2140 or visit their website for more information.

Technical High Schools (High schools within the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) that focus on career and college readiness)

• Students entering grade 9 may apply to the three technical high schools in the Greater Hartford Region: A.I. Prince (Hartford), E.C. Goodwin (New Britain), and Howell Cheney (Manchester).
• Technical high schools offer career and college readiness, including the opportunity for students to:
  • earn certification in their field of study and career credentials such as state licensure and industry-recognized certifications;
  • earn college credit; and
  • gain valuable and marketable work experience.
• Applicants apply to all three (3) technical high schools as a region and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers in April will have the opportunity to add CTECS schools to their application and/or change their order of preference.

Agricultural Science and Technology Education Schools (ASTE programs within high schools focused on agricultural science fields)

• Students prepare for college and careers in the fields of animal science, aquaculture, biotechnology, food science, environmental science, plant science, marine technology, agricultural mechanics technology, and agriculture business as part of their high school program and several of these programs provide opportunities for students to receive college credit in high school.
• Hartford students entering grade 9 may apply to ASTE schools in Bloomfield, Glastonbury, and Suffield using a separate ASTE paper application.  Applicants do not apply using the RSCO on-line application process.
• Students living in Hartford and attending one of the three ASTE schools in the Greater Hartford Region (Bloomfield, Glastonbury, and Suffield) are eligible for RSCO Transportation.