Press Releases
01/23/2018
Regional School Choice Fair Saturday, January 27
Final fair of lottery application season to feature school choice opportunities for Grades Pre-K to 12
The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Regional School Choice Office (RSCO)
(HARTFORD) – Want to explore the many great opportunities for your child’s education within the Greater Hartford region? Want to speak with staff and families that work at or attend a magnet school or the Hartford Region Open Choice Program? Bring the family to the last regional school choice event of the 2018-19 lottery application season on Saturday, January 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road, West Hartford, CT 06107. Spend time with representatives from schools and get assistance with starting a lottery application.
About the Regional School Choice office (RSCO) and the lottery:
- The 2018-19 lottery application period opened Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. EST and closes on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
- There are approximately 42 magnet school options with specialized themes available; Hartford and suburban students may apply.
- The largest numbers of available seats tend to be in transition grades, particularly Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9.
- The Hartford Region Open Choice Program is a separate option on the RSCO lottery application. Students apply to attend a non-magnet public school outside of their hometown. Once enrolled, Hartford residents may attend school in their Open Choice district through high school graduation.
The School Choice fair will feature information about the wide array of options available to Hartford and suburban students entering Grades Pre-K through 12. RSCO partners include: the Capitol Region Education Council; Hartford Public Schools’ Host Magnet Program; the Hartford Region Open Choice Program; Goodwin College’s Riverside Magnet School and Connecticut River Academy; the Connecticut Technical High School System; Bloomfield Public Schools’ Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School and Global Experience Magnet School; and East Hartford Public Schools’ Connecticut IB Academy.
RSCO staff will be available to answer questions. Families will also have the opportunity to complete an online application for the 2018-19 RSCO lottery. The lottery is not first come, first-served; families are encouraged to gather more information before making their decision by visiting open houses and schools after the day’s event.
“I encourage you to gather as much information as possible about school options in order to make an informed decision,” said Glen Peterson, RSCO’s Division Director. “Ask questions and if you need assistance with your application attend one of the many application assistance sessions where staff will provide guidance.”
For more information on school events, information sessions and open houses, and to apply online, please visit RSCO’s Web site at http://www.choiceeducation.org. Call RSCO’s Parent Information Center at 860-713-6990 weekdays (excluding state holidays) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with questions.
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“The State of Connecticut Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. The Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. The Department of Education does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and licensing against qualified persons with a prior criminal conviction. Inquiries regarding the Department of Education's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Levy Gillespie, Equal Employment Opportunity Director/American with Disabilities Act Coordinator, State of Connecticut Department of Education, 25 Industrial Park Road, Middletown, CT 06457, 860-807-2101. Levy.Gillespie@ct.gov.”
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
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Contact:
Peter Yazbak
Communications Director
860-713-6528