While we know it seems the school year just started, it can never be too early to prep for your kiddos' education. Hamilton County Schools will soon open applications for its Choose Hamilton: School Choice program for 2024-25.

School Choice offers a way for students to have access to options and programs outside of their designated school zone. This initiative is open for K-12th graders + spans the district from workforce development and college schools to open enrollment schools.

Quick facts

Applications + admissions timeline is uniform across all options
Schools with more applicants than seats will use a lottery-style selection system
Families will complete a single application for all choices (available in English + Spanish)
Applications can include up to five schools and programs + be ranked from 1-5 (1 being top preference)

Note: Students who are already in Choice schools do not have to reapply unless they are graduating to a higher education system (i.e. elementary to middle school). This excludes schools that encompass K-12th + 6th-12th graders.

See the list of Choice schools + availability.

Info and support sessions

Parents will have five opportunities to attend informational sessions that will delve more into the program + offer help with applications.

Note: Each session will happen from 5:30-7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 30 | Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, 4850 Jersey Pk.
Thursday, Dec. 7 | Dalewood Middle, 1300 Shallowford Rd.
Tuesday, Dec. 12 | East Side Elementary, 1603 S. Lyerly St.
Thursday, Jan. 18 | Middle Valley Elementary, 1609 Thrasher Pk.
Thursday, Jan. 25 | Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, 865 E. 3rd St.

Bonus: There will be a school fair on Thursday, Jan. 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the East Brainerd Annex with representatives from each school.

Applications will be open Monday, Nov. 13 through Wednesday, Jan. 31.