State Board of Education now accepting public comments on state charter applications until Jan. 14, 2025.

Open Choice Programs

FAQs

  • Does the Open Choice program provide for the needs of special education students?
    Answer: Yes. A portion of extra costs is paid by the receiving district and the remainder is paid by the district where the student lives. The responsibility for holding planning and placement team (PPT) meetings and developing an IEP belongs to the receiving district. For more information, contact the Bureau of Special Education at 860-713-6966.
  • How do I apply to the Open Choice program?
    Answer: Contact the regional educational service center (ACES, CES, or CREC) nearest your home or closest to the largest city in your region for information about the status of the program in your region.
  • How does the Open Choice program operate?
    Answer:

    The Open Choice program allows urban students to attend public schools in nearby suburban towns. It also allows suburban and rural students to attend public schools in a nearby urban center. Enrollments are offered by school districts on a space-available basis. Lotteries are used to place students when there are more applicants than spaces available. The program includes Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk, and their surrounding school districts.

  • How will my child get to school?
    Answer:

    Transportation costs are paid by the state. Arrangements are made by the regional educational service center serving the area. This also applies to students with disabilities unless transportation is considered a related service and is required by the student's individualized education program (IEP).

  • What are the purposes of the Open Choice program?
    Answer:

    Open Choice is an interdistrict public school program intended to improve academic achievement; reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation; and provide a choice of educational programs for public school students.

  • Who is eligible to attend?
    Answer:

    Participation is open on an equal basis to all students, including students with disabilities, attending public schools in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, and Norwalk and their surrounding districts. Interested parents should contact the regional educational service center serving their region for the latest information.

  • Will the parent/guardian have to pay tuition for the student
  • Who pays for this program? 
    Answer:

    The State of Connecticut Department of Education (state) pays grants to school districts participating in the Open Choice Program. The per student grant amount varies based on region and enrollment.

    • South Central and Southwest Regions of Connecticut: The state grant pays $3,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is less than 2 percent of the total population of the receiving district; $4,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 2 percent but less than 3 percent of the total population of the receiving district; or $6,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 3 percent but less than 4 percent of the total population of the receiving district; $6,000 per student if enrollment is greater than 4,000 students and the number of students in the program increased by 50 percent; and $8,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 4 percent of the total student population of the receiving district.
    • North Central Region of Connecticut, also known as the Greater Harford Region: The state pays a grant of $5,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is less than 2 percent of the total population of the receiving district; $6,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 2 percent but less than 3 percent of the total population of the receiving district; or $8,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 3 percent but less than 4 percent of the total population of the receiving district; $8,000 per student if enrollment is greater than 4,000 students and the number of students in the program increased by 50 percent; and $10,000 per student enrolled if the number of Open Choice students is greater than or equal to 4 percent of the total student population of the receiving district.