School Choice Week began in Colorado 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 559 events and activities across the Centennial State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. In addition, a celebration is planned on Wednesday, January 24 on the steps of Colorado Springs City Hall.

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 Colorado’s 1.3 million children. For example, families in Colorado 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 a private school choice program and tuition-free, public online schooling.

Governor John Hickenlooper issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 21-27 as Colorado School Choice Week. In addition, the county of Sedgwick and the cities of Broomfield, Greeley, Thornton, and Eaton have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

“Choice should exist in a context of collaboration with a kid-first focus, not a spirit of competition. Choice can happen within one school as well as across school models, and it should be about the needs of the family and students, not competition between models,” said Nikki Myers, academy director at Academy ACL, a public charter school serving 300 students in grades K to 8 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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.

“During National School Choice Week, we hope that Colorado families take time to explore the education options available for their children,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “Parents and children in Colorado have lots of choices when it comes to educational environments, and we are grateful that schools, homeschool groups, organizations, and community leaders are using this week to spotlight so many positive school choice success stories.”

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

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.