{"id":1391012,"date":"2025-08-25T15:53:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T19:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fcsn.org\/?post_type=resource&#038;p=1391012"},"modified":"2025-08-25T16:10:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T20:10:00","slug":"school-choice-in-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/fcsn.org\/pt\/resource\/school-choice-in-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"School Choice in Massachusetts"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span data-contrast=\"none\">School Choice in Massachusetts<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><br \/>\nChoosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you\u2019ll make\u2014and in Massachusetts, you\u2019ve got options. Whether you\u2019re looking for something close to home or a program tailored to your child\u2019s unique interests, the Commonwealth offers a wide range of educational pathways. Those include Publix Schools, Beyond the Neighborhood, Charter Schools, Vocational Technical Education, METCO Program, Virtual Schools, Mass Academy at WP, and\u00a0 Private &amp; Home Schooling.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>All children in Massachusetts have the option to attend public school in their local district. Additionally, all children between 6 and 16 years old must attend school in some setting.<\/p>\n<p>View the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education resource: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/finance\/schoolchoice\/choice-guide.html\">Choosing a School: A Family&#8217;s Guide to Educational Options in Massachusetts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Public Schools in Your District<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">All children have the right to attend public school where they live, whether in a city-run district like Boston or part of a regional district like Wachusett. Some towns even split grade levels between local and regional schools. If your town doesn\u2019t have its own schools, it may partner with another district, allowing students to access public education free of charge still.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Beyond the Neighborhood<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"> &#8211; Inter-district School Choice<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Families can explore inter-district school choice, letting students apply to attend schools outside their home district. Admission often involves an application and, if needed, a lottery.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Vocational Technical Education<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">High school students can pursue hands-on career training in fields such as culinary arts, engineering, and agriculture, while still meeting their academic requirements. Programs may be offered within local districts or regional vocational schools.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Public Charter Schools<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">These independent public schools offer innovative programs and are open to all students in the state of Massachusetts. Seats fill fast, so apply early!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Other School Choice Options in MA<\/h2>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">METCO Program<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A historic program focused on equity, METCO allows Boston and Springfield students to attend schools in suburban districts, with transportation and support services provided.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virtual Schools<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prefer learning from home? Massachusetts offers two Commonwealth Virtual Schools serving grades K\u201312.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mass Academy at WPI<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">This elite public high school focuses on STEM for juniors and seniors. Admission is competitive, but the opportunities are vast.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Private &amp; Home Schooling<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Families can also choose private or parochial schools (tuition required), or homeschool with approval from the local district.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0DESE Resources on School Choice<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Regardless of your child\u2019s needs or interests, Massachusetts offers a pathway to help them thrive. For more info and school profiles, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/finance\/schoolchoice\/default.html\">School Choice: https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/finance\/schoolchoice\/default.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/edcollaboratives\/default.html\">Collaboratives: https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/edcollaboratives\/default.html\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/ccte\/policies\/admissions\/default.html\">CTE Admissions: https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/ccte\/policies\/admissions\/default.html\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/cmvs\/\">Virtual Schools: https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/cmvs\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/specialeducation\/\">Special Education: https:\/\/www.doe.mass.edu\/specialeducation\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.doe.mass.edu\/search\/get_closest_orgs.aspx\">DESE School Finder<\/a> to search for local school options across Massachusetts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If Massachusetts families have questions about school choice, they can contact FCSN&#8217;s School Finder team for more assistance. 800-208-2242<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":1387382,"template":"","resources-categories":[239],"topics-filter":[273],"age_filters":[249,250],"language_filters":[308],"class_list":["post-1391012","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resources-categories-school-finder","topics-filter-school-placement-options","age_filters-age-6-13","age_filters-age-14-22","language_filters-english"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"pt","enabled_languages":["en","es","pt","ar","zh","vi"],"languages":{"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"es":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"pt":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"ar":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"vi":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - 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