In Massachusetts, each district may decide whether or not to allow students to

Many districts do offer interdistrict choice. If you can find a nearby district willing to accept your child, you may transfer. Unlike some states, Massachusetts does not require your child’s home district to approve the transfer. You will have to arrange your own transportation to the new school, but there is a reimbursement program that helps low-income parents pay for transportation.

If the number of applicants to a district is higher than the number of available openings, a random process must be used to determine admission. The only case in which a child will receive special preference is if he has a sibling who already attends the school. Once your child is accepted into a district, he may continue to attend school in that district until he graduates from high school.

Intradistrict Choice

Each district decides whether it will allow students to choose among schools in the district. Some will allow your child to attend any district school, while others will require your child to attend the school to which she is assigned. You may or may not have to pay for transportation when sending your child to another school within the district.

Updated October 2006