Magnet School Application Lottery Process

Riverside Magnet School at Goodwin University (RMS) is part of the Regional School Choice Office’s (RSCO) network of 45 magnet schools. RSCO is the office established by the Connecticut State Department of Education to serve as a centralized resource for information about the Greater Hartford Region’s unique, high-quality public school choice options for prekindergarten through grade 12. The RSCO School Choice System offers students a wide array of school choice options and brings together families from over 40 towns in diverse and engaging learning environments.

RSCO also manages the application and placement process for these schools. Prospective students must apply through RSCO’s easy-to-use online application platform that allows parents/guardians to manage applications for all their children. Families only need to create one RSCO account and should use the same account each year to submit applications.

Check out ChooseYourSchool.org, the RSCO School and Program Information Website, to learn more about the School Choice Application process and APPLY to our school!

RSCO School Choice Application

The on-time application period for the 2026-2027 school year opens on December 3, 2025, and closes on February 6, 2026. Submitting an application during the on-time period is one of the best ways to increase the chance of a placement offer. The late application will open on a limited basis the week of March 10, 2026.

Visit ChooseYourSchool.org to apply to our school!

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Placement Priorities for RMS

The following priorities are used in the placement process and can increase the chance of a placement if our school has available seats. To receive priority, you must apply during the on-time application period and make the school your first choice. Applicants receive priority in the order listed below.

Enrolled Sibling
Employee/Staff
Placed Sibling
Goodwin University Staff
Goodwin University Student
Pathway school: Wintonbury Early ChildhoodMagnet School (PK4 Hartford Residents)

Placement Announcements

Placement announcements are made in mid-March and continue biweekly, as seats are made available, through September. No magnet school placements are made after October 1.

Once an applicant receives a placement offer, they must complete registration within the timeframe provided. Failure to register will result in the placement offer being administratively declined and the seat will be offered to another applicant on the waitlist.

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