The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on education systems in the U.S, prompting a variety of changes to school learning environments. This study investigates student/family choices of learning modality in one large school district in the U.S and examines how these choices differ by students' race/ethnicity and performance level. Results revealed that the majority of White, Hispanic, and multiracial students initially selected in-person learning, whereas the majority of Asian and Black students selected virtual learning. Although 60% of Black students initially selected virtual learning, half of Black students transitioned to in-person learning by the end of the Fall semester. Further, only 23% of low-performing students started with virtual learning, and more than half of these students moved to in-person learning during the Fall. Findings suggest that student choice of learning modality varies depending on their race/ethnicity and academic performance, and these choices may have implications on their learning experiences and achievement during COVID-19.