Which School and Why? Equity in Camden School Choice  

This research examines equity within universal open enrollment systems, focusing on current practice in Camden, NJ, where families can apply to any district school through a centralized process. Utilizing five years of application data from One Camden, early findings reveal disparities in school choice patterns. Spanish-speaking households are more likely to select their neighborhood school rather than engage with the broader choice infrastructure, including access to higher-performing schools.  

To find out why parents make these choices, the research team is developing a survey to collect socioeconomic and qualitative data directly from households. This survey will enhance understanding of parental decision-making and equity implications, informing One Camden's ongoing efforts to improve outreach and the equitable design of its enrollment system. The study has broader implications for refining school choice policies in other districts, directly addressing education as a social determinant of health by increasing access to higher-performing schools for vulnerable households.