The Wareham School Committee voted to keep its school district open to school choice this year.

School choice was first enacted in Massachusetts in 1991, and allows parents to send students to public school outside of their home district, so long as the students are accepted into a limited number of slots in “receiving districts.”

Wednesday night’s vote ensured that the Wareham Public School System will remain a receiving district. Students from other school systems are welcome to apply for school choice, provided that there are enough slots available.

The school district has been open to incoming students from other schools for several years, and committee member Geoff Swett explained that the district is trying to advertise itself as a good destination for students looking for a better school. “We’re a great school system with great teachers and opportunities,” he said.

According to Swett, incoming students should not need to worry about being on a potential waitlist. The district is not capping the number of students allowed to transfer into Wareham High School, although the School Committee has the right to enforce a maximum number.

“Does this also affect students leaving the district?” asked committee member Judith Caporiccio.

“Agreeing to be a school choice district only allows us to let other students in,” explained Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood. “Whether we agree to school choice or not, we can’t stop students leaving the district."