National School Choice Week (N.S.C.W.) is an annual, non-partisan, and non-political charitable initiative that occurs during the last week of January. Established in 2011 by the Gleason Family Foundation and organized by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the event aims to raise awareness of effective K–12 education options for students across the United States. The week serves as a resource for parents seeking better schooling for their children, providing detailed, unbiased, and updated information free of charge. Participation in National School Choice Week is free, and there are no participation or licensing fees required. Since its inception, over 131,000 N.S.C.W. programs have been organized nationwide.
A key component of the initiative is the distribution of free activity kits and event supplies to schools, homeschool groups, and participating families. These materials are designed to help participants plan events and activities that bring positive attention to their educational choices. Supplies are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one packet per school or homeschool group.
Free Activity Kits and Supplies
Participants in National School Choice Week can request a free activity packet or event kit to support their celebrations. These kits are available to traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschool groups. The supplies are intended to help maximize participation and highlight the success of specific schools or homeschool groups, as well as the difference they make in the lives of students, families, and communities.
To receive a free activity kit for the 2026 event, registrants must complete a specific registration form. The offer is valid for residents of the USA. The form requires standard contact information and allows participants to specify their school or group type. Once the form is submitted, supplies are distributed while inventory lasts.
For those looking for additional ideas on how to celebrate, the National School Choice Week organization provides a free event ideas packet. This digital resource is available for download and contains creative ways for schools to join the observance.
Event Formats and Participation
National School Choice Week events take various forms, ranging from local school activities to large-scale fairs. In 2024, Las Vegas hosted one of the nation's largest School Choice Fairs at the IPEC Las Vegas venue. The fair featured remarks from National School Choice Awareness Foundation Chairman and CEO Andrew Campanella, Valeria Gurr (Senior Fellow at AFC), and Assemblywomen Heidi Kasama and Danielle Gallant. The event attracted nearly 2,000 parents and students and showcased more than 80 local school options and community resource vendors.
The Las Vegas fair offered practical support for families in their school search, along with entertainment such as superheroes, a photo booth, balloon twisting, face painting, music, and free snacks and lemonade. Similar events are organized across the country to help families explore educational options in their respective states.
Homeschooling Focus
Homeschooling is a significant focus of National School Choice Week. On National School Choice Day in 2024, approximately 2,000 students and parents attended a conference on homeschooling at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas. The event was organized by the RISE Resource Center, Nevada Homeschool Network, Nevada Policy Research Institute, NevadaESA.com, Academica Nevada, and The LIBRE Initiative. It was designed for parents who already homeschool or are considering it, with programs available for students in grades K–12. The conference provided an opportunity for parents to learn about available educational resources and options.
Digital Resources and Planning Tools
In addition to physical supplies, National School Choice Week offers digital resources such as a "digital backpack" for celebration planning. This includes curriculum planning guides, educational family activity sheets, and ideas for at-home activities. These resources are accessible to families and educators looking to integrate school choice awareness into their daily routines or educational planning.
Conclusion
National School Choice Week provides free access to activity kits, event planning resources, and information on diverse educational options for U.S. families. The initiative supports parents, educators, and homeschool groups in organizing positive events that highlight school choices, including traditional public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschooling environments. Supplies and resources are available on a limited basis, and interested parties are encouraged to register early through the official channels.