Choices for Hartford Residents
Hartford Region Open Choice Program
(Formerly Project Concern)
The Open Choice program offers students who live in Hartford, entering PK4 through grade 10, the opportunity to attend a non-magnet public school outside of Hartford. Open Choice is free, and transportation is provided.
Hartford residents who apply to Open Choice can select up to five towns assigned to their residential zone. Click your zone below to see towns you can select.
Helpful Hints
- The majority of new Open Choice seats are offered in PK4, Kindergarten, grades 1 and 2.
- If you select Open Choice on your application, you can select as many as five suburban districts within your residential zone.
What to Expect as Part of the Open Choice Program
- The Open Choice Program is an incredible opportunity for students to experience strong academic programing and enriching extracurricular options in a school district outside their hometown. This free program allows Hartford-resident students to attend high-performing public schools in nearby suburban school districts.
- Able to place multiple applicant siblings in the first year of placements if seats are available.
- Once enrolled, there is no need to reapply each year. Your child is enrolled through high school graduation but must remain a Hartford resident.
- Prepares children for post-secondary education and the workforce by learning from and interacting with students from different backgrounds.
- Students will be placed at a school outside of their home district, having the best of both worlds. This means new experiences with new people without having to move.
CREC Magnet Schools
Choose from CREC’s 17 award-winning magnet schools (and one magnet program), which are located in state-of-the-art facilities and have the latest technology, prepare students for college, and have high student achievement. Join over 9,000 students from more than 85 Connecticut towns who have chosen a CREC education.
Choose CREC and provide your child with a themed-based curriculum that allows students to develop their talents and interests in diverse learning communities and participate in real-world experiences that enhance their daily learning.
A CREC Education is Waiting For You at One of the Following Schools
CREC Elementary Schools (PreK-5)
CREC Preschool at Progress Drive (PK3 and PK4 only)
Academy of Aerospace & Engineering Elementary School
Academy of International Studies Elementary School
Ana Grace Academy of the Arts
Discovery Academy
Glastonbury-East Hartford Magnet School
Montessori Magnet School
Museum Academy
Reggio Magnet School of the Arts
University of Hartford Magnet School
Per Connecticut General Statutes, families of newly enrolled preschool students whose family income is above 75% of the state median income (SMI) will be required to pay a tuition fee for the school year. The fee for preschool students will be determined annually, but will not exceed $4,900 per child. Families whose income is at or below 75% of the state median income will not be required to pay tuition. For more information about preschool tuition, please review the Frequently Asked Questions document.
CREC Middle and High Schools
Academy of Aerospace & Engineering
Academy of Computer Science and Engineering Middle School
Academy of Computer Science and Engineering
Academy of International Studies 6-12
Academy of Science and Innovation
Ana Grace Academy of the Arts
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Full Day
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program
What to Expect at a CREC Magnet School
- Diverse learning communities
- State-of-the-art facilities that provide the latest technology and resources to all students
- Quality early childhood programming for 3- and 4-year-olds and kindergarten students
- Interscholastic middle and high school athletic program
- Advanced Placement and early college opportunities
- Competitive Interscholastic Athletics is offered at most of our middle and high schools.
- Attending a school outside of your home district to help prepare your child for real-world experiences by learning from, and interacting with, students from different backgrounds
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