California families look to the future of education this School Choice Week

Following the creative energy of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, California families are showcasing diverse educational opportunities during National School Choice Week 2025. With 2,361 events across the state, California joins more than 27,000 celebrations nationwide to honor the week’s 15th anniversary.

Since 2022, 24 states have implemented or are preparing to implement new school choice expansions. This significant growth in K–12 learning options is changing the lives of millions of children and reflects the growing demand from parents for more personalized and flexible education possibilities.

As the momentum for expanded educational opportunities grows across the country, families in California are considering how various learning environments can benefit their children. This increasing interest in school choice underscores the need for personalized education options.

School choice allows families to select the learning environment that works best for their children, whether it is traditional public school, public charter school, public magnet school, private school, online learning, homeschooling, or microschooling. With options expanding in many places, parents are better positioned than ever to find the place where their children will learn, thrive, and succeed.

Among notable events in California will be a Charter School Fair in Oakland on Feb, 1 and school fair in Santa Ana on Feb. 1. Additionally, schools across the state will hold public and private events such as Fremont Primary School’s after-school games and activities.

“California’s educational landscape offers families some options in education, particularly in the categories of public charter, magnet and online schools,” said Noelle DeLaney, vice president of events and partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “But limitations on open enrollment, barriers to public charter school growth and homeschooling regulations all curtail options for California families. There are hundreds of high-quality schools celebrating National School Choice Week in the state this year and we’re hopeful that families will connect with opportunities for their children they had never before considered.”

A January 2025 survey conducted by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation revealed that more than 60 percent of parents explored new schools for their children in the last 12 months, highlighting the high demand for K–12 education options in 2024.

National School Choice Week takes place in January each year to encourage families to start their school searches early; the week raises awareness and shares practical information for parents as they explore their local K–12 options.