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Contact
CREC Welcome Center
openchoice@crec.org
860-509-3700
RSCO Application
The Late RSCO application process begins the week of March 10th.
Testimonials
“The Project Concern/Open Choice program made me successful because it allowed me to see the world outside of the projects. Open Choice has meant a better chance to succeed in life for me and my family. I am proud to be an alumnus because I am a more diverse and eclectic person being open minded to this ever changing world. Without participating in the program, I would never have probably made it through to a 26+ year military retirement and on to owning my own business.”
- Project Concern Alumnus
Class of 1982
West Hartford
About Open Choice
RSCO Application Information
The On-Time RSCO Application Period for the 2025-2026 school year has passed.
Late Application submissions will be available the week of March 10th.
In the meantime, learn more about CREC's 16 Award Winning Schools and your Open Choice school options for the 2025-26 school year by visiting CRECfirst.org.
For more than 50 years, the Hartford Region Open Choice Program (formally Project Concern) has been offering Hartford students the opportunity to attend public schools in suburban towns, and suburban students the opportunity to attend public schools in Hartford, at no cost to the student's family.
The goal of the Open Choice Program is to improve academic achievement, reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation and provide all children with a choice of high quality educational programs.
Research studies show that students in integrated schools are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to college, and graduate from college than their segregated peers. Many Open Choice students are also performing at rates that are higher than their peers statewide.
The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) is one of three agencies in Connecticut that is legislatively mandated to manage the statewide program. Open Choice is funded by the State Department of Education.
Our Staff
Our multilingual Open Choice team works closely with school districts to help support students and their families. Together, we help your child participate in a rewarding, diverse, educational experience that will prepare him/her for a successful future.
Benefits of Open Choice
- Full Day Preschool and Kindergarten programs are available.
- Free tuition and transportation.
- Athletic programs in all districts.
- After School Academy for middle and high school students in Hartford.
- Once enrolled, students attend school in the Open Choice district until high school graduation.
- Summer programs for elementary, middle & high school students.
- Effort is made to place siblings in the same school district at the time of placement.
- Open Choice serves all children, including gifted and talented, English language learners, and special needs students.
- Literacy & Math facilitators for kindergarten students.
- The majority of Open Choice graduates attend post-secondary education programs, including four-year colleges such as Clark, UConn, ECSU, Lesley, CCSU, Western New England, the University of Hartford (grants available for Hartford residents), Johnson and Wales, and the University of Florida.
Benefits of an Integrated Education
Students who attend genuinely integrated schools are more likely to:
- Go to integrated colleges.
- Live in integrated neighborhoods.
- Have friends of other races and ethnicities.
- Work in nontraditional occupations with higher status.
