The Hartford Region Open Choice Program is a part of a statewide choice program that offers students the opportunity to attend public schools in suburban towns, and suburban students the opportunity to attend public schools in Hartford at no cost to the student’s family. Its purpose is to improve academic achievement; reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation; and provide a choice of educational programs for children. (View/download our brochure)
Click here to view/download the "CREC in the Community - Open Choice" video.

Facts About Open Choice

• Currently, over 1,300 Hartford students attend school in 28 suburban districts and 39 suburban students attend Hartford public schools through Open Choice.
• All children who live in Hartford are eligible to apply for suburban public schools and all suburban students are eligible to apply for placement in designated Hartford public schools.
• A full day kindergarten experience is available through Open Choice Early Beginnings.
• In most cases, transportation is provided at no cost to families.
• Open Choice serves all children, including gifted and talented, English language learners, and special needs students.
• The majority of Open Choice graduates attend post secondary education programs, including four-year colleges such as Clark, UConn, ECSU, Lesley, CCSU, Western New England, the University of Hartford (grants available for Hartford residents), Johnson and Wales, and the University of Florida.

Other Program Features

The Hartford Region Open Choice Program also offers summer programs to students, a college incentive award for Choice high school students nearing graduation, and a full-day kindergarten program called Early Beginnings. To learn more about these features, please visit our Other Program Features page.