Disclosed is a fence post with selectively covered, molded channels for use in modular fences. The post includes at least one longitudinally-extending channel that is covered by the exterior surface of a side of the fence post in such a way that channel is not visible from the exterior of the fence post until the covering portion of the fence post is cut away, in whole or in part, to make the channel accessible. The channel cover may be removed, in whole or in part, to allow longitudinal ends of pickets to be slid into the channel, either horizontally or vertically according to the selected portion of the channel cover that is removed. In this way, one fence post design may be used to stably support pickets connected on any of the sides of the post while leaving the other sides smooth in external appearance.