Hand2mind National School Choice Week

Leo Migdal

-Dec 9, 2025, 3:57 AM

National School Choice Week gives us an opportunity each year to reflect on the incredible momentum school choice has gained and what lies ahead for families and policymakers across the nation. We look forward to celebrating public and private school choice, homeschooling and other types of school choice as we kick off this week! School choice was gaining traction even before the pandemic, but the past few years have seen unprecedented growth. Today, almost every state has some form of public school choice, and there are more than 70 private school choice programs operating in more than 30 states and the District of Columbia. Homeschooling is an option for families across the country, and new schooling models—including microschools and hybrid delivery—continue to emerge. The school choice movement shows no signs of slowing down as policymakers continue to respond to growing demand from parents for diverse educational opportunities.

2025 promises to be another banner year for education choice. The coming year may bring exciting developments in several key states. This growing support for school choice underscores its importance as a tool for empowering families and addressing the diverse needs of students. Question: What do bright yellow scarves and education freedom have in common? Answer: National School Choice Week. And it’s taking America by storm.

The nonprofit National School Choice Week… Question: What do bright yellow scarves and education freedom have in common? Answer: National School Choice Week. And it’s taking America by storm. More families than ever before are free to choose the best school for their kids. With National School Choice Week kicking off around the country, the excitement and enthusiasm from these parents and their students is breathtaking.

Each year, National School Choice Week brings together parents, educators, lawmakers, and others to highlight the importance of providing students with access to diverse and high-quality educational opportunities. By giving families access to the best private schools, charter schools, virtual schools, and more, education freedom is transforming lives and reshaping education nationwide. This year’s National School Choice Week coincides with the release of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 2025 Index of State Education Freedom. The Index, published annually and now on its second edition, provides a comprehensive analysis of how each state ranks in terms of funding following students, charter schools, home schools, virtual schools, and open enrollment. The Index serves as a valuable resource for families and policymakers who might be curious about their states educational offerings and, more importantly, how they can improve it. States leading the way, such as Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and West Virginia, continue to set the standard for education freedom, while others are making significant strides in implementing policies that prioritize students...

The past few years have been transformative for our approach to education in America. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright light on the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach to education, with parents directly exposed to the education their children were receiving from public school. The resulting momentum led lawmakers in West Virginia and Arizona to enact the first universal Education Freedom Account (EFA) programs, providing every family with the ability to customize and choose their child’s education. Today, a dozen different states now have a universal education freedom program – a testament to the strength and success of this movement. The momentum hasn’t stopped yet. In fact, Governor Bill Lee has called a special session of the Tennessee legislature this week to address, among other things, education freedom in the state.

It’s no coincidence that the special session was called right alongside National School Choice Week, sending a clear message from the Governor’s office that this is a top priority. In addition to Tennessee, lawmakers in Idaho, South Dakota, South Carolina, Wyoming, Texas, and elsewhere are looking to advance legislation that will create universal programs in their states. National School Choice Week not only reminds us of the success that the education freedom movement has had over the past few years, but it reminds us that every student in America should have... One child stuck in a school that simply doesn’t work well for them is too many. This is why ALEC is leading the Education Freedom Alliance, a network of state and national partners who are all dedicated to universal education freedom in all 50 states. For 15 years, National School Choice Week has brought millions of students, families, and educators together across the U.S.

to celebrate the nation’s largest annual movement for educational choice. Since its inception in 2011, National School Choice Week has organized or promoted 236,746 activities and events, partnering with nonprofit organizations to plan 488 large-scale events. This year’s 15th anniversary is expected to make history as the largest celebration of educational opportunity in the U.S., with 66 flagship events across 39 states, organized by 55 nonprofit organizations, including 30 school... These efforts aim to raise equal awareness about the wide range of school options available, empowering parents to choose the learning environments best suited to their children’s unique needs. By spotlighting these various school models, National School Choice Week reminds us that the heart of the school choice movement is the U.S. student population—an incredibly diverse group of children, each with their own strengths, challenges, and needs.

Most importantly, National School Choice Week emphasizes that all students deserve an education that allows them to thrive, whether through traditional public, private, charter, homeschool, or virtual school models. “I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of school choice on students’ lives,” says Adam Hawf, superintendent of schools at K12-powered online schools. “Students who enroll in these alternative learning environments do so for a variety of reasons, but all are aimed at securing a promising future. Some seek career-focused pathways, while others require more flexibility due to extracurricular pursuits, travel, or learning needs. Many who struggle in traditional schools find a chance to reset and start fresh in a new environment, claiming a newfound sense of hope and motivation.” Adam and K12-powered online schools are passionate advocates for school choice because they understand the profound impact it can have on a child’s success, confidence, and well-being.

Consider your own child in school. Are they meeting grade-level expectations, or do they feel disengaged because they’re excelling? Do they receive enough one-to-one support from teachers? Do they feel safe in their learning environment? Are they offered opportunities to prepare for the future? Are you satisfied with their curriculum?

With these questions in mind, let’s explore some of the benefits that different school models can offer. The U.S. Department of Education today announced, in line with President Trump’s unwavering commitment to expanding school choice and ensuring all American students have access to high-quality education, its recognition and celebration of National School Choice... It begins today, Sunday, Jan. 26 and runs through Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

The department will celebrate education freedom by highlighting K-12 education options available to students and families, including traditional public schools, public charters, public magnet schools, online options, private schools, and a wealth of homeschool... School choice empowers parents and guardians to pursue the best learning environment for their children. It allows for innovative schooling models and methods that meet the unique needs of students across the nation. Education freedom ensures that a child’s opportunity to access a high-quality education and pursue the American Dream is not determined by his or her zip code. This year marks the 15th anniversary of National School Choice Week. More than 27,000 events and activities are taking place across the country, and more than 9 million students, parents, educators, and supporters are expected to participate.

For more information about school choice and access to the department’s resources, please visit the agency’s School Choice page. Join tens of thousands of schools and millions of parents and children to raiseawareness of K–12 education options: January 25-31, 2026. Together, we have inspired millions of families across America to explore the schoolchoice options available for their children. Learn more! See how nearly 1 million people celebrated school choice this January. Don’t worry about missing out—we’ve got you covered.

Explore our recap of exciting events that took place near you and stay tuned for even more celebrations in your area! Looking for information about National School Choice Week, activity ideas, inspiration, or resources to show your school spirit? National School Choice Week (N.S.C.W.) occurs annually in the last week of January and this year will be held from January 25 to 31. The week was established by the Gleason Family Foundation, the charitable arm of a New York-based machine tools manufacturer. For those who are looking for better schooling for their children and want to discover the options available in their respective states, this week provides access to detailed, unbiased, and updated resources for parents,... This week is for parents wanting to learn about school choices and the various options they have.

Since 2011, over 131,000 N.S.C.W. programs have been organized across the U.S. We love that these flexible silicone frames twist and bend without breaking, so your little one can explore safely while staying protected from harmful UV rays. We love that these outdoor adventure products transform any backyard into an action-packed playground where kids build strength, balance, and confidence through ninja obstacle courses and weather-resistant pods. From slacklines that challenge coordination to all-weather shelters perfect for outdoor relaxation, every piece is designed to get families outside and active together. We love that these thoughtfully designed bassinets and baby gear adapt to your growing family's needs with 3-in-1 versatility and gentle rocking motions that naturally soothe babies to sleep.

National School Choice Week was created in 2011 and is a non-profit, non-partisan, and non-political charitable project. It is organized by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. Its goal is to raise awareness of effective K–12 education options for students. The focus areas include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online schools, and homeschools. The charitable programs are designed to raise awareness of school education options for children and families across the country. Thousands of schools and related organizations join each year to raise broad public awareness.

This week, tens of thousands of independently planned awareness events and activities, such as school fairs, parent information sessions, student talent showcases, and open houses take place across the country.

Hand2mind National School Choice Week

People Also Search

National School Choice Week Gives Us An Opportunity Each Year

2025 Promises To Be Another Banner Year For Education Choice.

The Nonprofit National School Choice Week… Question: What Do Bright

Each Year, National School Choice Week Brings Together Parents, Educators,

The Past Few Years Have Been Transformative For Our Approach