Q: What are the qualifications for the program?

A: The program is open to children who will begin kindergarten in 2010-11 (age 5 by December 31, 2010) and children who are currently enrolled in public schools. To be eligible to attend school in one of the towns listed above, the child must be a resident of Hartford. To be eligible to attend school in Hartford, the child must be a resident of a suburban town in the Hartford area. Children who reside outside of the Greater Hartford area may apply, but will not receive transportation if accepted into the program.

Q: If the child is moving into Hartford from another state, does he/she qualify?

A: Yes.

Q: How are the children accepted into the program?

A: Students are accepted into the program through a random lottery. Students with a sibling already in the program are given preference in the lottery for the town in which their sibling attends school. Every attempt is made to place siblings in the same town and, when appropriate based on the grade levels of the children applying, the same school. Attempts are also made to place students in towns located closer to where they live, though this is not always possible. Students who currently attend schools identified as “in need of improvement” under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 will also receive preference in the lottery over students whose current schools are not so identified.

To be considered for the lottery, you must submit a 2010-11 Regional School Choice Office application by the February 10, 2010 deadline. Applications will continue to be accepted after the deadline, but students who apply late will be placed on a waitlist. If you applied last year and would like your child to be entered into the lottery, you must apply again. If your child is currently in the Open Choice program and you would like to apply for your child to be considered for another town, you must submit a new application.

Q: Is there a fee for this program?

A: There is no cost to apply to or participate in the program.

Q: When or how can I apply?

A: Applications are available now. Click here to complete an on-line application. The deadline for applications is February 10, 2010. Families are encouraged to attend our Open Houses and Information Sessions.

Q: When and how will I be notified if my child was selected?

A: Siblings of students already in the program are placed first through a separate lottery system. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot take your inquiries about the status of your application. We will contact you by phone or mail if there is an available space for your child or if she/he is next in line to be placed. If a space does not become available, you will receive a letter by June 30 notifying you that your child has been placed on the waiting list. 

Q: Where can I go to get applications or assistance?

A: Applications and assistance are available at the Open Choice office and the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) at 860-757-6188 located at 43 Vernon Street/Learning Corridor, Hartford, CT 06106. Applications are available at schools and online at www.choiceeducation.org.

Q: If I have more than one choice, do I submit an application for each choice?
A:  No. Complete only one application per student. Be sure to include all of your choices.

Q: What is the deadline to submit applications?
A: All applications, whether electronically submitted, mailed, or hand delivered, must be received by the application deadline date of midnight Friday, February 10, 2010.

Q: What happens if my application arrives after the deadline?
A: Applications received and/or postmarked after the deadline will go to a late application wait list based on date and time of receipt of application.
 
Q: When will I know if my child(ren) has been accepted into Open Choice?
A: The Magnet Schools, Charter School and Open Choice lotteries will be held in March 2010 and notification of placement will be made in late March 2010.

Q: Do I get to select the town in which I want my child to attend school?

A: No. As seats become available, students will be tentatively placed in that seat and then the family will be contacted and given the opportunity to accept or decline the invitation to proceed to the next step of the process.

Q: Do I need to visit the school to register?

A: Yes. After you successfully complete the intake process, you will receive information and directions for your assigned school. You will be asked to contact the school to schedule an appointment to complete the registration for your child.

Q: Do the children need to wear uniforms?

A: No.

Q: Who provides transportation?

A: Transportation is provided by CREC, the Capitol Region Education Council and, in most cases, is free to families accepted into Open Choice.

Q: What grade levels are available?

A: Students can participate in our program starting in kindergarten. However, the majority of the seats are between kindergarten and third grade.

Q: Can I drive my child to school instead of using the bus?

A: Parents can submit a written request to the CREC Transportation Department to drive their child to and/or from school.

Q: Where will my child’s bus stop be?

A: Generally, children are assigned a bus stop that is the closest neighborhood school. After a designated date, parents can submit a written request to change their bus stop to a bus stop that is more convenient. 

Q: If my child is not placed, do I need to reapply?

A: Yes. Applications are only good for one year. The process starts all over again in the fall.

Q: While I’m on the waiting list, should I register my child for school in my district?

A: Yes. In some cases students are placed after school has begun and also in the middle of the school year. Your child should attend their district school until he/she is placed.