With many students home from school as North Carolina digs out from Winter Storm Jonas, now is a great opportunity for parents to explore school choice for their children. National School Choice Week begins today in North Carolina and across the country. 412 events will be held to celebrate School Choice Week in the Tar Heel State, weather permitting, and 16,140 events will be held nationwide.

The events in North Carolina, which are independently planned and independently funded, include everything from information sessions and open houses at schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie screenings organized by community groups.

Governor Pat McCrory and the mayors of Charlotte and Goldsboro have issued official proclamations recognizing January 24-30, 2016 as “School Choice Week.”

“Over the last several years, North Carolina has significantly expanded educational options for children and families in both the public and private sectors,” said Andrew R. Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “National School Choice Week provides families in North Carolina with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children, in time for the 2016-2017 school year.”

With a goal of raising public awareness of effective education options for children, National School Choice Week will be the largest celebration of education options in US history.

SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES

  • According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in North Carolina can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2016-2017 school year. Parents in the Tar Heel State can choose from the following education options for their children: traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online academies, private schools, and homeschooling. The state also has a program allowing qualifying children, in some cases, to receive scholarships to attend private schools.

ABOUT NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort spotlighting effective education options for children, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. The Week runs from January 24-30, 2016. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.