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Interdistrict Public School Choice

The Interdistrict School Choice Program was signed into law by Governor Christie on September 10, 2010 and will commence with the 2011-12 school year with the exception of the transportation provisions that take effect immediately for those districts currently participating in the pilot program.  See http://www.nj.gov/education/finance/092910foster.pdf.  The program is designed to increase educational opportunities for students and their families by providing students with the option of attending a public school outside their district of residence without cost to their parents.

The Interdistrict School Choice Program enables students to choose to go to a school outside their district of residence if the selected school is participating in the choice program.  Transportation of up to 20 miles will be provided to a student going to a choice school if the student meets the eligibility requirements of state law and the transportation will cost no more than $884.  If the cost of the transportation will exceed that amount, the parent will be given the opportunity to pay the additional amount, or may choose to receive $884 as aid in lieu of transportation.  If the school is outside of the 20-mile radius, transportation will be the responsibility of the student/parents/guardians.  Information on choice school transportation, the definition of eligibility for transportation and procedures for applying for transportation services can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/education/finance/transportation/procedures/.

District participation in the program is optional.  The decision to participate in the program by a school district is made by the local board of education.  The district would then send an application to the NJ Department of Education for final processing and approval.

The choice school sets the number of openings per grade level.  If there are more students requesting admission to the school than there are available openings, the school will choose the students by lottery.

Any school-age student who is a resident of New Jersey is eligible to take advantage of this program.
For more comprehensive details on this new law, you may want to review it at The Interdistrict Public School Choice Act of 2010.

The department has listed the participating schools for the 2012-2013 school year on our Web site under the link for “Approved Choice Districts.”   The link for this site can be found in the yellow right-hand column labeled “Approved Choice Districts.”

If you have further questions, please contact us at:
https://www.state.nj.us/education/parents/contact.htm
or email us at:  pschoice@doe.state.nj.us