MATTAPOISETT — More kids from out of town are coming to Center and Old Hammondtown schools.

The Mattapoisett School Committee voted on May 3 to admit three additional school choice students into Mattapoisett elementary schools, adding to the eight school choice students already enrolled.

School choice is a program by which families can opt to send students to schools outside of the school district in which they live. In return, the district gets a $5,000 reimbursement per school choice student. 

Mattapoisett currently has three school choice students in both kindergarten and first grade, and one in second grade.

Kindergarteners will be prioritized for the three school choice spots, though first and second graders may also be accepted.

In a public hearing on the topic which saw no public comment, School Committee member Carly Lavin said she’d like to see the number of incoming kindergarteners — which was projected at 55 before the decision — remain under 60.

“I don’t know if two is a good number, or if we have to go somewhere between two and four,” she said.

Superintendent Michael Nelson recommended it would be easier to admit younger students, as it’s to be expected that the current school choice students will remain in the Old Rochester Regional School District.

The committee voted unanimously to admit three school choice students into Mattapoisett Elementary schools, with a preference for kindergarteners.