Connecticut State Department of Education

02/22/2018

CSDE Regional School Choice Office Announces 2018-19 Lottery Application Deadline

Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) Reminder of February 28 Deadline, Final Week Highlights with Application Assistance Events

(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CSDE) Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) would like to remind parents, grandparents and guardians of children entering prekindergarten through Grade 12 that February 28, next week, is the final day to submit an on-time application for the 2018-19 RSCO lottery.

The RSCO lottery offers Hartford and suburban students an opportunity to apply to high-quality public schools of choice. The RSCO lottery application includes:

  • Approximately 45 interdistrict magnet schools with specialized themes; and
  • The Hartford Region Open Choice program, which is a separate option. Hartford and suburban students apply to attend a non-magnet public school outside of their hometown. Once enrolled, students may attend school in their Open Choice district through high school graduation.

    The largest numbers of available seats are in entry/transition grades, particularly prekindergarten, kindergarten, grade 6, and grade 9.

    CSDE conducts the RSCO magnet and Open Choice lottery. To apply online, visit RSCO’s website at http://www.choiceeducation.org and direct your browser to the Apply Now.

    On-time lottery applications for magnet and Open Choice schools must be submitted by Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at midnight.

    The on-time lottery applications for Hartford district schools closes on March 31, 2018. These applications are for Hartford residents only.

    Families seeking lottery application assistance can take advantage of the following resources, available in English and Spanish: 

  • RSCO’s Parent Information Center (450 Columbus Blvd., Plaza Level, Hartford; 860-713-6990): call or visit weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.;
  • CREC Welcome Center (111 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford; Monday-Wednesday and Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with special office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., February 26 through 28 or Call 860-509-3700; and
  • Hartford Public Schools (HPS) Welcome Center (960 Main St., 1st Floor, Hartford; 860-695-8876): call or visit weekdays for application assistance between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

     

    In addition to the above locations, the following RSCO lottery application assistance events, available in English and Spanish are scheduled:

  • Tuesday, February 20: Hartford Public Library/Sand-Ropkins Branch, 1750 Main Street., Hartford,1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 20: Hartford Public Library/Albany Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, Hartford, 4-6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 21: Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, 30 Arbor Street, Hartford, 9-12  noon.
  • Wednesday, February 21: Hartford Public Library/Dwight Branch, 7 New Park Avenue, Hartford, 3-5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 21: Billings Forge Community Works/Studio, 563 Broad Street , Hartford, 5-7p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 21: CURET, 1443 Albany Avenue, Hartford, 6:00 -7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 22: CRT, 37 Grace Street, Hartford, 8-11 a.m.
  • Thursday, February 22: Hartford Public Library/Campfield Branch, 30 Campfield Avenue, Hartford, 4-6 p.m.
  • Friday, February 23: Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, Children’s Room, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 25: Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, Children’s Room, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 1-4 p.m.
  • Monday, February 26: Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, Children’s Room, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 27: Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, Children’s Room, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 28: Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, Children’s Room, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 28: Billings Forge Community Works/Studio, 563 Broad Street , Hartford, 5-7 p.m.

    Also, Hartford Public Library has scheduled special events:

  • Saturday, February 24: VITA Tax Day with Choice Application Assistance, Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 24: Lunch and a Story with Choice Application Assistance, Hartford Public Library/Albany Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, Hartford, 1-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 24: Assistance with College Essays and Financial Aid Questions, Hartford Public Library/Albany Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, Hartford, 1-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 28: Painting Instruction and Dinner with Choice Application Assistance, Hartford Public Library/Down Town Branch, 500 Main Street, Hartford, 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A list of other community-based RSCO satellite sites can be found on RSCO’s website under Satellite Sites and Information Centers. Families should call these organizations before visiting.

 

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The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. The Connecticut State Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. The Connecticut State Department of Education does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and licensing against qualified persons with a prior criminal conviction. Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Levy Gillespie, Equal Employment Opportunity Director/American with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Connecticut State Department of Education, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 607, CT 06103, 860-807-2071. Levy.Gillespie@ct.gov.  

 

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Peter Yazbak
Communications Director
860-713-6528