What is School Choice?

 

Every student has different interests, hopes, and dreams and must have access to opportunities that best open doors to exciting pathways to possibilities for their future. Choice schools expand the options for students to attend schools that best fit their individual interests and skillsets. These schools offer students opportunities that will propel them forward and ensure they are future-ready for college, career, and beyond.
Every student in Hamilton County is guaranteed a seat at their zone school. School Choice provides additional programs and school options through a randomized choice lottery application. Choice options include innovative learning experiences, unique academic curricula, theme-based programs, eLabs, project-based learning, and individualized learning communities. School choice options include Magnet schools, Open Enrollment schools, Future Ready Institutes, Early Postsecondary Opportunities, and Hamilton County Virtual School. 


School Choice Spanish vide


When do offers go out?

The School Choice Office notifies families of offers for open Choice seats via the email on their student’s application. To help you plan ahead and use as a reminder to check your email regularly we have a calendar for you of when offers will go out. Remember, you have only 7 days to respond to your offer. If no action is taken on your email offer, your seat will be expired and removed from the list. Remember, that if you have a school ranked higher than the one you are accepting you will remain on the waitlist and should check your email regularly. If an offer comes available, the lower ranked seat you accepted will AUTOMATICALLY be dropped and the new offer will be emailed. It is important that if you accept a seat and are happy with that choice, you should contact the School Choice office via [email protected] to let us know to take you off any remaining waitlists.

Choice Seats Offer Schedule 2025

Choose Hamilton: 
The Second Round of Choice 
Applications are open through July 25,2025!


For all School Choice questions, please email [email protected] or
call 423-498-6762

The 2nd Round applications will be open from April 7, - July 25, 2025.  2nd Round applications are only for families who did not apply in the first round of the Lottery.  If there is already a waitlist, 2nd Round applicants will be placed at the bottom of those lists as they come in.  Original applicants do not lose their current position to a new applicant. You may access the application through your Parent Portal if you are an existing student or you can return to the main School Choice page and find the links for both existing and new to district students.  CCA is still open.  Please see instructions below if you are interested in auditioning.   Be sure to check the email you submitted on your application on a weekly basis.  Offers go out on a weekly basis.  Offers on Mondays and they expire 7 days later on Sunday if no action is taken.

CCA will continue to audition students through the 2nd round.  Interested applications should email the principal, CCA administration, for information.  After receiving the email, the school will provide a link to a google form, and students will upload the audition information (videos, portfolios, etc.) for screening purposes.  Selected students will be asked to come to the school for an in-person audition and interview.  The 2nd Round ends at the end of business day of July 25, 2025.

If you have any questions about an existing application please email [email protected]

 

Current HCS School Choice student application

New to HCS application link
(Kindergarten Applicants and New to the District) 

 

School Choice Spanish application

(Spanish Application)

 

Questions about accessing the application? Check out the How to Apply page. 


 

 

School Choice Options

 


First Day Ready Timeline


The first day ready timeline is a great tool with all the important dates for our families to keep an eye on. Here, you will find key dates, deadlines, and events. Download a copy now!

Questions about School Choice? Email [email protected]