This year National School Choice week is
January 26- February 1, 2025.
APESF was founded out of a passion to help families afford the educational environment that is right for them. To date, we have helped over 18,900 Arizona students with tax credit tuition scholarships.
School choice refers to the idea that families should have the ability to choose where their children go to school, rather than being limited to the school that is assigned to them based on their home address. There are a variety of ways that school choice can be implemented, including:
- Public school choice: This refers to programs that allow families to choose which public school their child attends, regardless of the school’s location. This can include programs like magnet schools, open enrollment policies, and charter schools.
- Private school choice: This refers to programs that provide financial assistance to families to help them afford to send their children to private schools. This can include vouchers, tax credit scholarships, and education savings accounts.
- Homeschooling: This refers to the practice of educating children at home, rather than sending them to a traditional school.
Overall, the goal of school choice is to give families more control over their children’s education and to provide more options for finding the best educational fit for their children.
School choice is important because it gives families the ability to select the best educational option for their children, which can help improve academic outcomes and increase student participation and satisfaction. The National Bureau of Economic Research completed a study which found that among children of low socio-economic status the ability to participate in school choice programs ultimately, increased secondary school completion rates by 15–20 percent.
When families have a range of education choices, it can also lead to increased competition among schools, which can drive improvements in the quality of education that every child receives. School choice also offers families the opportunity to find schools that align with their values and learning philosophies or schools that cater to the needs of children who have unique needs or who may not thrive in a traditional school setting.
Here are the stories of local families who took advantage of Arizona's many school choice options.
Ways YOU can celebrate National School Choice WeeK
Here are some creative and meaningful ways you can celebrate National School Choice Week next week:
1. Show Appreciation to Educators
- Write thank-you notes or organize a small gift for teachers and school staff to show gratitude for their commitment to quality education.
- Host a parent-led breakfast or lunch for faculty and staff.
2. Share Your Story
- Record a short video or write a social media post about why you chose your private school and how it has positively impacted your child’s education. Share your story on social media and tag APESF or comment here to share it with a wider audience.
3. Wear Yellow
- National School Choice Week’s signature color is yellow. Parents and students can wear yellow scarves, T-shirts, or accessories to celebrate and spark conversations about school choice.
4. Attend an Event
- Check for local or school-hosted events in your area, such as open houses, rallies, or parent workshops. Here is a list of local 2025 events: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/states/arizona/
5. Decorate and Display
- Put up School Choice Week posters, banners, or yard signs at home or on your car to spread awareness.
- Create a family art project featuring why your family supports private school education.
6. Volunteer at Your School
- Offer your time to help with a school project, assist in the classroom, or organize a special event for National School Choice Week.
7. Advocate for School Choice
- Write to local representatives or community leaders about the importance of maintaining and expanding school choice options.
- Share resources like the Arizona tax credit program with other parents to help them explore private school opportunities.
8. Support Your School Community
- Highlight your school’s unique features (faith-based curriculum, academic programs, arts, etc.) in community forums or online reviews.
9. Partner with APESF
- Encourage other parents to learn more about how programs like the Arizona tax credit make school choice possible. Share resources, host a parent info session, or collaborate with your school and APESF for outreach efforts.
- Make a donation to APESF recommending your private school to help the students who need it most!
