Hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and community leaders will gather at the State House for a rally to celebrate School Choice Week in Rhode Island and show support for increased educational opportunity.

On Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. students and teachers from many schools will gather at the capitol for an afternoon of student performances, including dance, choir, and musical groups.

The goal of the celebration is to show the depth and breadth of school choice support in Rhode Island and draw leaders’ attention the need to expand existing opportunities. The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country.

“In the last year, Rhode Island Families for School Choice has grown to include almost every type of school available to Rhode Island students,” said Rachel McGuire executive director of Rhode Island Families for School Choice. “We want to take this opportunity to celebrate all forms of school choice and speak for increased access to choice for every student.”

The event is organized by Rhode Island Families for School Choice, which includes Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish, independent, and charter schools, as well as homeschoolers.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.