THIS WEEK: 1,436 Events and Activities in Illinois to Raise Awareness About School Choice

Prairie State Parents Will Discover Education Options for Children During National School Choice Week

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Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Students, parents, teachers, and community leaders will celebrate expanded educational options in Illinois this School Choice Week.

The Week will feature 1,436 events and activities across the Prairie State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations.

Nationwide, 40,549 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 20-26, 2019), and 10.8 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history.

In Illinois, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, and homeschooling. Illinois offers tax deductions for students in private or home schools, and scholarships for students under a certain income level. Illinois students in grades 5-12 can take online courses through Illinois Virtual School.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. The cities of Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Batavia, Bloomington, Bollingbrook, Burbank, Cambridge, Carmi, Chester, Dallas City, DePue, Dunlap, Ela, Elmwood Park, Granville, Harvard, Leland Grove, Marion, Mendota, Palatine, Petersburg, Polo, Roselle, Round Lake Heights, South Chicago Heights, Vienna, and the villages of Lake in the Hills, Rossville, Sheridan, Stone Park, Third Lake 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.

"We support school choice and are happy to see that our students are happy with us as their school choice. We believe all students deserve to learn in an environment where each student has a voice and is encouraged to be their best, while also learning to be critical thinkers, caring citizens, and self-starters who will become capable and competent individuals," said Taija Sparkman, office staff at Plato Academy, an independent school serving 93 students in Des Plaines, Illinois.

"National School Choice Week is a great time for families in Illinois and across America to research the education options available to their children," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

To download a guide to school choice or learn more about featured events in the Prairie State, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/states/illinois.

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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week