Massachusetts Inter-District School Choice
Massachusetts has both in-district and inter-district school choice which allows families to transfer from their home public school to another.
In-district transfers are managed by the local district so refer to your local district’s website for specific information and their policies on how to apply for these transfers. Generally, in-district transfer requests are granted based on the availability of seats at the requested school once enrollment is finalized for each school.
Inter-district transfers allow families to enroll their children in public schools located outside their home district. This voluntary program is available only to Massachusetts residents and is completely free.
Type: Public school open enrollment to another school district
Who It Serves: Any Massachusetts resident student in grades K-12 (some districts may restrict pre-K enrollment) may transfer to a school district outside their current one
Tuition: $0 – Completely FREE. The state pays a tuition rate of $5,000 per student to the receiving district. The “sending” (home) district pays the remaining per-pupil cost. Families pay nothing.
How Massachusetts Inter-District School Choice Works:
- Families contact the school district they wish to attend
- Submit an application during the application window (typically spring)
- If more applicants apply than seats are available, most districts use a lottery system
- If accepted, student enrolls in the receiving district’s school
Application Timeline:
- Applications typically open: Spring (varies by district)
- Deadlines: May or June (varies by district)
- Lottery drawings: By July 1
- Results and notifications: July
Key Details for Inter-District School Choice:
- Massachusetts residents only are eligible
- Voluntary program: Districts vote annually on whether to participate and how many seats to offer
- Sibling preference: May be given to siblings of students already enrolled through school choice
- Grade restrictions: Some districts restrict entry to certain grade levels
- Transportation: NOT guaranteed and may be the family’s responsibility
- Lottery-based: If applications exceed available seats
Important Considerations:
- Not all districts participate – your desired district must vote to accept school choice students
- Available seats vary annually by district
- Transportation can be a significant barrier for families without access to reliable transportation
- Once enrolled, students typically remain through graduation unless they choose to return to home district
How to Apply for a Massachusetts Inter-District Transfer: Contact your desired receiving district directly for application procedures, deadlines, and available seats. Each district manages its own application process.