The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) offers a broad variety of school choice opportunities that empower families to choose opportunities for their students and to enable student success.
RSCO Programs
Did you know that your School Choice options extend beyond your own home district? Families have amazing opportunities available to them in the Greater Hartford Region, with transportation provided from most areas. RSCO offers students entering Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with a wide array of choices, including Open Choice, Magnet, Technical, and Agriculture schools, that meet the individual needs of students and families.
Make an informed decision for your family by learning more about our programs and your options.
Open Choice Program (Greater Hartford Region) (Grades PK4–12)
The Open Choice Program is an incredible opportunity for students to experience learning in a culturally diverse school district outside of their town. Students learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, which promotes creativity and prepares students for adulthood. This program is available to:
Hartford residents entering PK (age 4) through Grade 10 may apply to attend school districts outside of Hartford based on their residential zone. Applicants may choose up to five (5) school districts and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.
Greater Hartford suburban residents entering kindergarten through 8th grade may apply to attend select public schools located in Hartford with specialized programming.
Applicants may choose all available options for their applying grade. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.
Suburban families interested in applying to Renzulli Academy will need to complete a separate application through the Hartford Public School System. For more information about how to apply, contact the school directly at 860-695-2140 or visit their website for more information.
SearchMagnet Schools (Interdistrict) (Grades PK3–12)
Both Hartford and non-Hartford residents can apply to attend themed interdistrict magnet schools in the Greater Hartford Region. Magnet schools are public schools that offer innovative, hands-on learning environments through specific themes and special programing, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); visual and performing arts; International Baccalaureate; and the Montessori method of teaching. These programs incorporate the theme into the core curriculum to develop the natural talents and interests of the student and fuel their passions. With smaller class sizes and higher teacher-to-student ratios, magnet schools provide an enriching environment individualized to students.
Magnet schools are available for Pre-Kindergarten Age 3 through Grade 12. When applying, you may choose up to five (5) schools and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers will have the opportunity to add schools and change their order of preference.
Magnet School Themes
These are just a few of the incredible themes incorporated into the core curriculum at magnet schools in the Greater Hartford Region that might be the perfect fit for your child:
Advanced Manufacturing
The Advanced Manufacturing theme provides students with the skills and training required for a career in the high-demand advanced manufacturing field. Through hands-on experience on state-of-the art technology equipment, students develop the skills to prepare them for future careers and/or advanced education in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and more.
Character Education
The Character Education theme focuses on educating the whole child and prepares students for success in middle school, high school, and beyond as citizens and contributing members of society.
Computer Science and Engineering
This theme offers opportunities in computer science and engineering for students to learn coding and design for websites, applications (apps), and game development – all important 21st century skills!
Dual Language
A dual language education creates a language immersion experience in English and Spanish in all academic class times. This approach develops language skills in English and Spanish, with the goal of bilingual fluency for our young learners.
Early College/College Prep
Early College and College Preparatory themed schools focus on college and career readiness at graduation, using a college model environment and providing an early start on earning college credit.
Early Childhood
These magnet schools are for our youngest students and focus on developing a love of learning and creating a sense of wonder about the environment, culture, and our world.
Global Studies & World Travel
Geared toward the 21st century global environment, this theme challenges students with rigorous academics and prepares them to become responsible, civic-minded citizens with intercultural understanding and respect.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB theme is geared toward the 21st century global environment by preparing students for college and beyond through rigorous academics, critical-thinking, and independence. IB uses the international baccalaureate learner profile to challenge students through global-minded academics to get them ready to participate in the world with intercultural understanding and respect.
MicroSociety
Students in a MicroSociety experience a wide variety of learning environments by creating miniature societies within the school to prepare students to be engaged and active citizens. The six major components of the MicroSociety are: Technology, Economy, Academy, Citizenship and Government, Humanities and the Arts. Through active student government and academic engagement, students participate in decision-making for their school society and connect learning to the real world.
Montessori
The Montessori theme offers students a nurturing and supportive learning environment that provides rigorous academic challenges while focusing on developing students’ social, emotional, academic, and physical needs. The curriculum is delivered through a hands-on approach to learning and puts students at the center of their skill development. The Montessori principles encourage respect, independence, curiosity, and diversity.
Multiple Intelligences
The Multiple Intelligences theme focuses on developing intelligence by allowing students to experience different ways of learning, including through linguistics, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. These eight areas are integrated in the classroom activities and learning modules to accommodate all learning styles and build on students’ individual strengths. This mixture of intelligences provides students with the opportunity for learning based on their needs, interests, and skills.
Museum Studies
This theme transcends the traditional classroom and creates a unique learning environment for students focused on examining artifacts in historical and modern contexts and connecting those artifacts to understanding the world. The theme includes partnerships with museums as an educational resource and site for exiting and stimulating excursions but the curriculum teaches students to identify exhibits in everyday environments. Students learn to think for themselves and ask questions through a strong inquiry-based and exploratory learning environment.
Reggio Emilia
The Reggio theme supports an individualized learning environment inspired by the Italian Reggio Emilia approach. The curriculum is designed to respect a child’s point of view, and students are empowered to direct their learning. With the teacher acting as a guide, project-based learning opportunities inspire high levels of creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative problem solving.
Social Justice
With a focus on social justice, character education, and civic leadership, these schools promote social and individual responsibility, global understanding, community engagement, and student empowerment. Academics, field experiences, and leadership skills help students develop tenacity, accomplishment, courage, community wellness, and a commitment to justice.
Sports and Medical Sciences
The Sport and Medial Science theme integrates academics and advanced technology into the learning experience with a focus on medical science in the sports context. The theme is integrated throughout the core curriculum to prepare students for advanced studies in sports medicine, exercise science, and health management.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Students interested in science, math and technology will thrive in this setting! STEM prepares students for college and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and fosters inquiring minds, logical reasoning, and great collaboration.
STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math)
This theme is closely related to STEM but adds Art and Reading to the mix. STREAM focuses on inquiry-based learning and inspires students to become lifelong learners from an early age. STREAM teaches students to interact with the world through both artistic and scientific processes.
Visual and Performing Arts
There are several magnet schools that are specifically geared toward students interested in art, music, dance, digital arts, creative writing, theater design, and other art forms. This theme integrates a rigorous core curriculum with instruction by professional artists focused on fine and performing arts.
Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) (Grades 9 to 12)
Students entering grade 9 may apply to these regional technical high schools, which include A.I. Prince (Hartford), E.C. Goodwin (New Britain), and Howell Cheney (Manchester). When applying, families submit one application for all three (3) technical high schools as a region and rank them in order of preference. Applicants who do not receive a placement in the first round of offers for on-time applicants in April will have the opportunity to add CTECS schools to their application and/or change their order of preference.
By integrating 21st century trade education with rigorous academics, Hartford Region technical high schools prepare students to begin working immediately after graduation or to enter the college classroom. Students graduate with a high school diploma and certificate in their field of study. Many receive college credit or work experience that leads to apprenticeships during high school.
SearchAgricultural Science and Technology Education Schools (ASTE) (Grades 9 to 12)
Hartford students entering grade 9 who are interested in attending an ASTE program apply using an ASTE Application, not the on-line RSCO Application.
Application Deadlines:
- D.F. Harris AgiScience Center at Bloomfield High School: April 1, 2023
- Glastonbury Regional Agriscience Center: December 12, 2022
- Suffield Regional Agriscience Center at Suffield High School : December 8, 2022.
ASTE schools prepare students for college and careers in the fields of animal science; aquaculture; biotechnology; food, environmental, and plant sciences; marine technology; agricultural mechanics technology; and agriculture business. Many programs provide opportunities for college credit during high school. Hartford Region ASTE schools are in Glastonbury, Bloomfield, and Suffield.
Search