BY Annabelle Bamforth
January 20th is the kick-off date of School Choice Week, a national week-long celebration proudly highlighting the diversity of educational opportunities available to families all over the country.
What exactly is school choice? This is a question many parents have, and it’s exactly why this event exists. School Choice Week is an opportunity to raise awareness; there are several choices available when it comes to a child’s education. These choices include public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online schools, homeschooling, and (yes!) traditional public schools (or a combination of these options). It’s also a celebration for families and schools who embrace educational freedom.
Since its inception, School Choice Week has been an event that transcends political boundaries and is celebrated by children, parents, teachers, and public figures. Dozens of governors and mayors- from former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, as well as Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Rochester, NY Mayor Lovely Warren, have recognized school choice and its vital role in successfully preparing children for their future.
There are about 40,000 independently organized events planned across the country, including here in New Hampshire. This year’s School Choice Week celebration is taking place at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on January 22nd at 11:30 a.m. and it’s the perfect atmosphere for curious families to learn more about the educational options in our state. In addition to the School Choice Week celebration, there’s also an Introduction to Homeschooling discussion being held on January 23rd in Nashua from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library.
As families place careful thought into their choice of homes, vehicles, healthcare providers, nutrition, and countless other products and services, School Choice Week is a fantastic resource for parents to research educational choices. Thank you to all of the schools- public and private- that have helped nurture the unique learning needs of families across the state.
