THIS WEEK: 518 Events and Activities in Minnesota to Raise Awareness About School Choice

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

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Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesotans will come together to celebrate education, opportunity, and a wide variety of schools during School Choice Week.

The Week will feature 518 events and activities across the North Star State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. One of the largest events in the state will be a rally at the state capitol planned on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 11:45 a.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.

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 Minnesota, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. Minnesota parents who fall below a certain income level are eligible for tax deductions on certain nonpublic educational expenses. Any student who lives in Minnesota can attend a full-time online school free of charge.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. The cities of Caledonia, Centerville, Morristown, New London, Rice Lake, and Wadena 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 have celebrated National School Choice Week for several years and each year the students take more ownership for their school. The entire week we are able to acknowledge the importance of school choice and the loyalty and pride we have for our school beams enthusiastically from our little kindergarteners to our 8th-grade upperclassmen," said Lynn Peterson, executive director at Cologne Academy, a charter school serving 630 students in Cologne, Minnesota.

"Minnesota has been a national pioneer in providing parents with a variety of education options for their children, and I encourage Minnesota families to discover these options during National School Choice Week," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

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

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