There are two separate applications for families applying to Hartford District Schools and RSCO Magnet/Open Choice schools.

Need assistance?  Contact us at 860-695-8876 or visit our Enrollment Center located at 280 Trumbull Street, Hartford, 06103 on the ground level, 8AM - 4PM.

Scroll down to see our Extended Office Hours for the application period for RSCO on-time application (Magnets, Open Choice, CTECS!)

DISTRICT SCHOOLS

  • HPS District Choice Placement process On-Time application opens on January 8, 2025 and closes on April 2, 2025.

  • HPS District Choice Placement process Extended application opens on April 16, 2025 and closes on June 11, 2025.

If you recently moved to Hartford and need to register your child for the current school year, please complete the online pre-registration here. If you need assistance, please call our office at, (860) 695-8876 or email our School Choice team.

MAGNET & OPEN CHOICE SCHOOLS

  • The RSCO Magnet/Open Choice/ CTECS On-Time application for the 2025-26 school year is open and closes on February 7, 2025

  • The RSCO Magnet/Open Choice Extended application opens in Mid-March of 2025 by schools/ grades on a limited basis as needed.

  • The CTECS - (Connecticut Technical Education and Career System)There is no early CTECS deadline for the 2025-26 school year application.

  • Check www.chooseyourschool.org for updates.

When to Apply

The application periods for the HPS District Choice Placement process and the Regional School Choice application are as follows:

HPS District Choice Placement application for School year 2025-26:

  • HPS District Choice Placement process On-Time application opens on January 8, 2025 and closes on April 2, 2025.

  • HPS District Choice Placement process Extended application opens on April 16, 2025 and closes on June 11, 2025.

The Regional School Choice (RSCO) Application for School year 2025-26:

  • The RSCO Magnet/Open Choice/ CTECS On-Time application for the 2025-26 school year is open and closes on February 7, 2025

  • The RSCO Magnet/Open Choice Extended application opens in Mid-March of 2025 by schools/ grades on a limited basis as needed.

  • The CTECS - (Connecticut Technical Education and Career System)There is no early CTECS deadline for the 2025-26 school year application.

  • Check www.chooseyourschool.org for updates.

Where to Apply

There are two separate applications for families applying to Hartford District Schools and RSCO Magnet/Open Choice schools:

District Schools:
Applications to our District (non-magnet) schools are open to Hartford residents only. Hartford residents should complete both the online HPS District Choice Placement application and the Regional School Choice application (choiceeducation.org) to maximize their options.
To apply, please visit the HPS Choice application.

Magnet/Open Choice/Technical Schools:
Applications to Magnet/Open Choice/Technical schools are open to Hartford and Suburban residents using the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) application.
To apply, please visit chooseyourschool.org.

Who Can Apply

All parents or legal guardians of a student can submit an application. All children living in the United States have a right to a free K-12 public education regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Hartford Residents:
Families can complete both the HPS District Choice Placement process and the Regional School Choice (RSCO) application. Hartford residents who fall into the categories below MUST apply using the HPS District Choice Placement application:

  • New Kindergarten Students: Kindergarten age-eligible children (turning five on or before September 1, 2024) must register for school. PreK4 students currently enrolled in a HPS school readiness program within zone or magnet school do not need to apply for kindergarten, as they will continue in their current school.

  • Students Interested in Transferring Schools: Any students interested in changing from their current HPS neighborhood or magnet school can only do so by applying during the application period for the following school year.

  • All Students: Any Hartford resident student may submit a HPS District Choice Placement application.

Suburban Residents:
Families who wish to access Hartford Public School Magnet and Open Choice options apply only through the RSCO application.

What’s Next?

What families need to know after the placement process occurs.

Acceptance & Registration:

  • Respond to your placement once your family receives notification.

  • If placement is not accepted or declined within the time frame noted, the placement may be declined and the seat will be offered to another student. Families can accept electronically online.

  • Complete a pre-registration at home by clicking HERE . If you do no have access to a computer you can visit our Office of Enrollment and School Choice at 280 Trumbull Street, 1st FL, in Hartford. To finalize the registration,  bring the required documents to the Office of Enrollment and School Choice. If your child is attending a magnet school, please bring the registration documents to the school.

  • For the complete list of Required Documents for registration please click HERE

HPS Extended Welcome Center Hours for the Application Period

During this time, we welcome families to stop in if they require assistance with

completing the RSCO On-Time Application (Magnets, Open Choice, CTECS) or if they have any questions regarding the process.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Tuesday , January 7, 2025, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 4:00pm-6:00pm