The Massachusetts School Choice program allows students to attend public schools outside of the district where they live. Families do not pay tuition - it’s covered by the student’s home district. Participation in School Choice is optional for each district, so some districts take part and others do not. The program is open to all students regardless of race, color, or national origin. When there are more applicants than available seats, a lottery system is used.
There are no statewide application dates. Each district sets its own timeline. Deadlines can range from as early as February to as late as August, depending on the district.
To stay informed:
Each district has its own process, but applications are typically simple and quick. In many cases, you’ll just fill out a short online form. Some districts may require you to mail or drop off a printed application at the superintendent’s office. These forms usually ask for basic information only. If your child is accepted, you’ll be asked to provide additional documentation at that time.
This varies by district. Some districts open seats for all grades, while others limit participation to certain grade levels. We do our best to list grade availability for each district, but please always verify this information on the official district website.
When applications exceed available seats, districts hold a lottery. Lottery dates differ from district to district, so be sure to check their schedules.
Yes! There’s no restriction on applying to multiple school districts. In fact, applying to several districts significantly increases your chances of getting accepted somewhere. If you receive an offer, districts usually require a quick response. However, you can still withdraw your acceptance later if you’re accepted by another district you prefer.
It depends on the district and how many seats are available. On average, acceptance rates range from 20% to 25%, but applying to multiple districts can greatly improve your odds.
There is no statewide rule. Some districts make efforts to keep siblings together, while others don’t. For example, Medway and Littleton have previously accepted siblings in the same year, while Nashoba has not.
No. Transportation is the responsibility of the parents. While students often don’t mind the extra drive time (since they skip waiting for a bus), this can add travel time for parents - often up to two additional hours per day.
Yes. Students attending through School Choice can join sports and extracurricular activities in their new district. In many cases, they may also continue participating in sports programs in their home community.