The rise of neoliberalism intensified the process of marketization in education. One of its main manifestations is the ‘quasi-market’ that, in turn, led to the rise of new and diverse school prototypes (e.g., magnet and charter schools, academies, and specialized schools (SPES), in the US, England, and Israel, respectively). We analyze educational policy regarding SPES in Israel from 1985 to 2022. SPES are authorized to charge tuition, conduct student screening, and enroll students from open catchment areas. Using a composite model of value critical policy analysis, and Brighouse’s model (Brighouse et al., 2018; Schmidt, 2006) policy documents were analyzed qualitatively alongside semi-structured, interviews with policymakers. Findings revealed a discordance between the de-jure policy aspiration of equity and the de-facto policy emphasizing choice. Furthermore, the expansion of SPES, which proved a particularly successful education model, affords a distinct (and discriminatory) advantage to students from affluent backgrounds.