School Choice Week began in Minnesota and across America this Sunday, with the goal of raising awareness about the options that parents have for their children's education.

The Week will feature 452 events and activities across the North Star State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. In addition, a school fair is planned on Saturday, January 27 at the Lightbox Studio in Minneapolis.

Nationwide, 32,240 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 21-27, 2018), and nearly 7 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history.

The Week brings attention to the different education environments that are available for Minnesota’s 1.2 million children. For example, families in Minnesota can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. The state's public school open enrollment policy is one of the nation's broadest and most accommodating. The state also offers tuition-free, public online schooling.

The county of Wilkin and the cities of Babbitt, Bird Island, Brooklyn Center, Centerville, Crosslake, Ely, Foley, New Ulm, Northfield, Wadena, St. Paul Park, Linwood, Waterville, New London, Rochester, Thief River Falls, and Woodbury have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

“National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. The goal is to raise awareness of all types of education for children. Being a private, non-profit school, we know that many of our parents make a large sacrifice to send their child or children to Academy of Whole Learning. We participate to celebrate that we are an excellent choice in education for students with autism spectrum disorder or related learning differences,” said Paul Gloudemans, admissions at Academy of Whole Learning, a private school serving 58 students in grades K to 12 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Celebrated since 2011, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. The Week is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and it is not related to any legislative advocacy campaign.

“Minnesota is a national pioneer when it comes to providing educational opportunities for children,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “National School Choice Week is a time to celebrate the fact that Minnesota has set a positive national example for school choice, while also letting more parents know about the options they have for their children’s education.”

To download a guide to school choice in Minnesota, or to learn more about featured events in the North Star State, visit https://schoolchoiceweek.com/states/Minnesota.

For information on events planned near you, please send us an email with information about your coverage area to pressoffice@schoolchoiceweek.com.

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a spotlight on effective education options for children. National School Choice Week celebrates all types of school options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. Learn more at www.schoolchoiceweek.com or highlight school choice on social media using hashtag #schoolchoice.