Q: What are the qualifications for the program?

A: Students must be residents of Hartford and attending a Hartford public school.

Q:What happens if the child lives in Hartford but attends school in a different town?

A: Student’s academic records must come from a Hartford public school.  Therefore, they must be attending a Hartford public school at the time they are applying for the program.

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

A: No, because their academic records would not be coming from a Hartford public school.

Q: How are the children accepted into the program?

A: Selection is made through a lottery system.  Students are considered in the order of their assigned numbers.

Q: Is there a fee for this program?

A: No.  There is no cost to the families who participate in the Choice Program.

Q: When or how can I apply?

A: Families are strongly encouraged to attend one of the scheduled Open Houses beginning in January.  There you will receive helpful information about the program, the selection process, and tips to help you make an informed decision.

Q: Where can I obtain an application?

A: Applications are available at the Open Houses.  Parents can get assistance completing the applications and then submit them before they leave.

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: 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: Can you tell me what my child’s number is?

A: No.  That would be too time consuming.  However, we can check the database and assure you that your child is in the lottery.

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 register 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.

Q: Starting in what grade can my child participate in the Choice Program?

A: Students can participate in our program starting in kindergarten.

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

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

Q: Where will my child’s bus stop be?

A: 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 an existing bus stop that is more convenient. 

Q: If I’ve missed the application deadline can I still submit an application?

A: Yes, however your application will not be eligible for the lottery.  If we go through all of our applicants and we still have seats to fill, then we will consider late applications in the order they were received.

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 January.

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

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 school in Hartford until he/she is placed.