Greater Hartford Families Can Learn About Magnet School Options This Weekend

HARTFORD, CT — Families living in the greater Hartford area have more than just their municipal school systems to choose from when it comes to education.

And an event in Hartford on Saturday aims to show them just what their options are.

Folks are invited to join the state Department of Education’s Greater Hartford Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) for the RSCO School Choice Fair.

It will take place Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (doors close at 12:30 p.m.) at the Sports and Medical Sciences Academy, 280 Huyshope Ave., Hartford.

There, families will be able to explore the free PK-12 public school choice options in the Greater Hartford region, learn about transportation, sports, and extracurricular activities, and get details on the RSCO application before it closes on Feb. 6.

Through the RSCO school choice application, Connecticut families with students entering PK-12 can apply to free public schools in the Greater Hartford region that fit their child’s unique skills, interests, and passions, including:

• 40-plus magnet schools with specialized themes incorporated into the core curriculum (like STEM, visual/performing arts, Montessori)
• 26 Open Choice districts and schools outside their town of residence
• Three Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Hartford region technical high schools.

Families must apply by Feb. 6 to access the widest range of options and have the best chance of receiving a placement offer for the 2026-27 school year.

Saturday's event will also include free snacks, activities, and giveaways while supplies last. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Jan. 24.

Those interested in attending can pre-register at www.ChooseYourSchool.org.