THIS WEEK: South Carolina Shines Spotlight on School Choice at 306 Events

The Palmetto State plays key role in National School Choice Week,
the largest celebration of educational opportunity in US history.

COLUMBUS, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–National School Choice Week begins today in South Carolina and across
the country. There are 306 events planned in the Palmetto State to raise
awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.

The events in South Carolina, which are independently planned and
independently funded, include everything from information sessions and
open houses at schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie
screenings organized by community groups. Highlighted events include a
large school choice celebration January 25 at noon at The Township
Auditorium.

The counties of Beaufort and Greenville and cities of Barnwell,
Blythewood, Darlington, Dillon, Easley, Greenville, Hanahan,
Hardeeville, Inman, Lancaster, Liberty, McCormick, Mount Pleasant, and
Pine Ridge have issued official proclamations recognizing January 22-28,
2017 as “School Choice Week.”

National School Choice Week provides families in South Carolina with the
opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available
for their children in advance of the 2017-2018 school year. The Week
also raises awareness of the importance of providing every child with
effective education options.

“We look forward to National School Choice Week every year as a time not
only to celebrate educational opportunity, but the teachers,
administrators, and parents who make it possible,” said Ellen Weaver of
Palmetto Promise Institute. “School choice makes every day better for
the students whose lives it changes, and we want to show our whole state
the difference it can make.”

“Over the last 10 years, educational opportunities for children and
families in South Carolina have grown significantly,” said Andrew
Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “This is something
to celebrate, and National School Choice Week will provide an
unprecedented opportunity to celebrate the hard work and cooperation
that made these choices a reality.”

With a goal of raising public awareness of effective education options
for children, National School Choice Week will be the largest
celebration of education options in US history.

SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILIES

• According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in
  South Carolina can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the
  2017-2018 school year. Parents in the Palmetto State can choose from
  the following education options for their children: traditional public
  schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online academies,
  private schools, and homeschooling. In some parts of the state, open
  enrollment policies allow parents to select the best traditional
  public school, regardless of where the school is located. The state
  also has a program allowing qualifying children, in some cases, to
  receive scholarships to attend private schools.

ABOUT NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

• National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort
  spotlighting effective education options for children, including
  traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools,
  private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. The Week runs
  from January 22-28, 2017. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

Contacts

National School Choice Week
Shelby Doyle, (202) 480-2927
ext. 820
Director of Communications and External Relations
shelby@schoolchoiceweek.com