NEXT WEEK: School Choice Week Celebrations in Illinois are Bigger than Ever This Year

Illinois celebrates K-12 learning by holding 900+ events for 14th annual School Choice Week

 

NEXT WEEK: School Choice Week Celebrations in Illinois are Bigger 

than Ever This Year


Illinois celebrates K-12 learning by holding 900+ events for 14th annual School Choice Week


Springfield– When children have access to school choices that meet their needs, it sets them up for lifelong success. That's what Illinois families and educators want to highlight during National School Choice Week 2024. Illinois schools, organizations, and families are planning 999 of the more than 27,000 celebratory events that will take place around the country during National School Choice Week, which begins on Jan. 21.


What exactly is school choice? School choice means giving parents access to the best K-12 education options for their children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, homeschooling, and microschools or mix-and-match learning.


Among notable events in Illinois for the Week will be a Chicago Town Hall with author Ian Rowe on Jan. 22, organized by New Trier Neighbors, and a Trade Day Celebration in Chicago on Jan. 27, organized by the Brown House Experience. Schools across the state are celebrating, too, like St. Frances of Rome School, a private school in Cicero, which is planning an arts and crafts night, a first responder appreciation day, a yellow spirit day with a scarf giveaway, and an open house where prospective families can meet teachers and tour the school.


Across the country, close to three dozen iconic landmarks or notable buildings will light up in red and yellow to mark the Week. In Illinois, the Willis Tower in Chicago will light up all week from dusk to dawn.


Since 2023, 20 states have implemented or are getting ready to implement new school choice expansions. This significant growth in K-12 learning options nationwide is changing the lives of millions of children and reflects parental demand for more personalized education. During School Choice Week 2024, parents can learn more about all their choices for next school year at local events.


“Illinois parents have choices for their children’s education, but the state could still do more to enhance opportunity in K–12 education,” said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “For example, while the Prairie State offers public school open enrollment policies that are somewhat flexible and parent-friendly, provides families with more public charter school options than in several other states, and empowers parents with significant flexibility in homeschooling their kids, the state took a step backwards last year in eliminating a program that empowered low-income kids to attend private schools. In addition, the state’s lack of an online public school deprives families of needed options.”


A January 2024 survey by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation found that U.S. parents increasingly see school choice as a “new normal.” 72% of parents surveyed said they considered new schools for their children last year— up from 54% of parents in 2023. National School Choice Week takes place in January each year to encourage families to start their school searches early; the Week aims to provide valuable insights and practical information for parents as they explore their local K-12 options.


To download a guide to Illinois school choice or see celebration photos, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/illinois.


Local celebrants are available to discuss their plans with reporters upon request. For more information, contact our team at pressoffice@schoolchoiceweek.com.

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