Open Choice Program for Hartford Residents
The Open Choice Program for Hartford residents gives Hartford students an opportunity to attend public schools in nearby districts from PK4 through 12th grade. These districts offer excellent educational opportunities, including full access to challenging academic environments and enriching co-curricular activities like clubs, sports, arts, and community involvement.
How Does Open Choice for Hartford Residents Work?
Learn about the advantages of the Open Choice Program!
Hartford residential zone map
Twenty-six districts participate in the Hartford Region Open Choice Program. Where your family lives determines where your child can apply. The City of Hartford is divided into four residential zones, with specific districts assigned to each.
Open Choice for Hartford Residents Application Tips
Make sure you’re eligible.
Hartford students entering PK4 through 10th grade. Once your child is enrolled in an Open Choice district, they are enrolled through high school graduation as long as they remain a Hartford resident. There is no need to reapply each year!
Apply to the districts available to your residential zone.
The City of Hartford is divided into four residential zones, with specific districts assigned to each zone. Families living in a specific residential zone may apply to the districts assigned to that zone. Enter your address in the School Directory to determine your residential zone.
Apply to up to 5 districts.
Rank districts in order of preference on your application. You do not have to apply to the maximum number of districts.
Is Open Choice your top choice?
Apply only to Open Choice to activate the Open Choice Only Priority. You do not have to apply to the other program options (magnet schools, CTECS).
Apply only to districts where you would accept an offer.
You can only decline one Open Choice offer.
In an upper grade level? Consider other programs.
Consider adding other program options (magnet schools and CTECS for applying 9th graders)* to your application if your student is in an upper grade level. Most available seats are at the lower grades, especially PK4, kindergarten, and 1st grade.
*Something to consider when applying to multiple programs: CTECS placements are made first, in February, followed by magnet school placements in March—both before Open Choice Program placements. Under the one-offer rule, if a student receives a placement in CTECS or a magnet school, they are no longer eligible for an Open Choice placement.
