School Choice Week began in Missouri 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 602 events and activities across the Show Me State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. In addition, a school fair is planned on Thursday, January 25 at the The Stage in St. Louis.

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 Missouri’s 1.4 million children. For example, families in Missouri 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 counties of Jasper, Johnson, Newton, Osage, Schuyler, Scott, and Warren and the cities of Belton, Cabool, Gideon, Greenwood, Lexington, Manchester, Neosho, O'Fallon, Poplar Bluff, Sedalia, St. Charles, St. Peters, Velda Village Hills, and Vinita Park have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

“We participate in National School Choice Week because we believe that each family has the right to choose how children are educated,” said Andrea Follin, public relations representative at Victory Academy, a private school serving 85 students in grades PK to 12 in Seymour, Missouri.

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.

“We are grateful to the students, parents, teachers, school principals, homeschool group organizers, and community leaders who are working to raise unprecedented awareness about educational opportunity in Missouri during National School Choice Week,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “We encourage parents to use this week to evaluate the K-12 education options available for their children.”

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

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.