Zoned school choice is a type of school choice system where students are assigned to schools based on their residential address. Each school is assigned a geographic “zone,” and students who live within that zone are guaranteed a spot at the school.
Under a zoned school choice system, parents and students have some choice in which school they attend, but their choices are limited to the schools within their geographic zone. This can help to ensure that each school has a diverse mix of students from different neighborhoods and backgrounds, and can also help to reduce transportation costs and increase community involvement in local schools.
However, zoned school choice systems can also be criticized for perpetuating segregation and limiting educational opportunities for low-income students who may not live in affluent neighborhoods with high-quality schools. Some advocates for school choice argue that parents should have more freedom to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs, regardless of their zip code.
Overall, zoned school choice is one of several approaches to school choice, and its effectiveness depends on a variety of factors, including the quality of the schools within each zone, the demographics of the surrounding neighborhoods, Learning Management System, and the availability of transportation options.
