School Choice Week began in Florida 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 3,812 events and activities across the Sunshine State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. In addition, a community festival is planned on Saturday, January 27 at the Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills, FL.

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 Florida’s 4 million children. For example, families in Florida 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.

“We participate in National School Choice Week because we want to provide our families with as much information as possible on all types of education options available for their children—from traditional public schools to public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning and homeschooling. We hope by doing so we can help the parents make educated choices about their children’s future. We are that link they need to ensure their child receives quality educational experience,” said Mahreen Mian, director of the University of North Florida Preschool in Jacksonville, Florida.

Governor Rick Scott issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 21-27 as Florida School Choice Week. In addition, the counties of Broward, Charlotte, Gilchrist, and Manatee and the cities of Adventura, Bartow, Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Edgewater, Hallandale, Lake Wales, Mascotte, Melbourne, Niceville, Orlando, Palmetto, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Joe, Safety Harbor, Springfield, St. Cloud, Tallahassee, Venice, West Miami, Wilton Manors, Davenport, Freeport, Jacksonville, Minneola, Montverde, Panama City Beach, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Eatonville, Havana, Indialantic, Medley, Montverde, and Gainesville have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

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.

“Florida is a school choice pioneer, and parents in the Sunshine State have more choices for their children’s education than parents in most other states,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “We encourage parents across the Sunshine State to use National School Choice Week – which, in Florida, will feature more events than in the 49 other states – as an opportunity to evaluate school options for their children. We thank the thousands of schools, homeschool groups, organizations, and community leaders who are holding events and activities this week to shine an even brighter spotlight on school choice.”

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

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.