Can an Andover student live outside Andover school district? (Boston: day care, property taxes)

[Stuart_L]

Hello,

I relocated some time ago and live in Tewksbury. I'm taking custody of my daughter and now that I am investigating schools for the local districts I'm wondering if a student residing in one district can attend a school in another district?

Thanks!

[SouthShoreDad]

I would say that's a definite no. I am/was really involved in highschool sports as an adult and this is a pretty strict rule that's followed...you have to live in the town to go to school there. Theres many reasons but a lot has to do with taxes. Andover residents don't want to pay taxes for a child who lives outside of town to go to school there, and that childs family contributes nothing to the town.
Soon you could have 100 families sending there kids to that school and there would be no money to cover it in the budget. Imagine trying to go to Andover or any towns taxpayers for more tax money because they need to cover for families that aren't paying into the system that funds these good schools.

[CaseyB]

Some districts allow outside students to enroll, but I doubt Andover does. Are there any nearby charter schools you could look into?

[Valerie C]

School choice is usually limited to in-town residents who may want their child to attend a school in the same district but not the school that they are slated to attend which is usually determined by their address. You usually would have to petition the district and give a plausible explanation as to why you want your child to attend a different school (day care is on the other side of town, or something like that. "I prefer X school over Y school" is not a valid reason to allow you into another school.

If you are wanting to have your child educated out of your town's school system, you may have to look into the possibility of paying the Andover school district to educate your child. After all, your Tewksbury property taxes are not funding Andover schools. I would recommend approaching the Andover school department to get the information on what is and is not allowed.

Originally Posted by Stuart_L

Hello,

I relocated some time ago and live in Tewksbury. I'm taking custody of my daughter and now that I am investigating schools for the local districts I'm wondering if a student residing in one district can attend a school in another district?

Thanks!

[barco]

Only if the student is a minority and resides within the city limits of Boston...

[ScituateAl]

The MA Dept of Ed website gives district profiles including which ones offer school choice. This might be a start:

School Finance: School Choice

Or just call the district and find out.