National School Choice Week gives us an opportunity each year to reflect on the incredible momentum school choice has gained and what lies ahead for families and policymakers across the nation. We look forward to celebrating public and private school choice, homeschooling and other types of school choice as we kick off this week!
School choice was gaining traction even before the pandemic, but the past few years have seen unprecedented growth. Today, almost every state has some form of public school choice, and there are more than 70 private school choice programs operating in more than 30 states and the District of Columbia. Homeschooling is an option for families across the country, and new schooling models—including microschools and hybrid delivery—continue to emerge.
The school choice movement shows no signs of slowing down as policymakers continue to respond to growing demand from parents for diverse educational opportunities. 2025 promises to be another banner year for education choice.
The coming year may bring exciting developments in several key states.
This growing support for school choice underscores its importance as a tool for empowering families and addressing the diverse needs of students.
At ExcelinEd, we believe school choice is one of many ways that policy changes lives, offering diverse opportunities for students and families. While many organizations focus on specific aspects of school choice, we set out to provide a more comprehensive perspective—equipping policymakers with insights into what’s happening across their state and others to drive meaningful change.
At our 2024 National Summit on Education, we launched SchoolChoiceMatters.org, a powerful new resource designed to support policymakers with a comprehensive national look at how school choice policies have been enacted at the state level.
Our school choice team spent a year examining 40 school choice-related policy areas in states across the country. This work culminated in the launch of School Choice Matters, which serves as a dual-purpose tool, offering both a quick snapshot of how well states are addressing each policy area as well as an in-depth exploration of the broader school choice ecosystem within each state.
The policies we examined fall into four primary categories:
Additionally, we identified “policy enhancers,” such as part-time enrollment and transportation, which play a critical role in increasing access to these options. Together, these policies form an interconnected ecosystem of choice, directly impacting students’ educational experiences and opportunities.
School Choice Matters is designed to empower policymakers with the information they need to make bold, informed decisions that expand educational options for families. By taking a holistic view of school choice policies and providing actionable insights, this resource highlights the potential for transformative change—one policy at a time.
We hope policymakers will spend some time this National School Choice Week learning more about school choice in their state and how policy in their state compares to what other states are doing across the country.
Where our School Choice Matters dashboard was designed with state policymakers in mind, Navigate School Choice, part of National School Choice Week’s year-round outreach, is an outstanding resource for parents and families to learn more about the basics of school choice and what options are available in their states and communities.
Navigate School Choice is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to assisting parents in understanding and navigating the various K-12 educational options available across the United States. Recognizing that each child has unique learning needs, the website aims to inform, inspire and empower families to make informed decisions about their children’s education.
The website offers detailed information on different types of schools, including public, charter, magnet, private and homeschooling options. It explains the concept of school choice, which allows families to select the educational setting that best fits their child’s needs, rather than being confined to schools based on geographic location. This empowers parents to seek environments where their children can thrive academically and socially.
One of the key features of Navigate School Choice is state-specific guidance. Parents can access School Choice State Roadmaps that include tailored information about the educational opportunities, programs and regulations pertinent to their state. This localized approach ensures families are aware of the options and resources available to them, facilitating a more personalized and effective school selection process.
Additionally, the website provides practical tips and tools to support families in the decision-making process, such as checklists for school visits, questions to consider when evaluating schools and insights into application procedures. By offering these resources, Navigate School Choice simplifies the complexities often associated with selecting the right educational environment, enabling parents to make choices with confidence.
As we celebrate National School Choice Week, we want to highlight additional resources available to both policymakers and families who are trying to learn more about educational opportunity and the different ways it can benefit students:
As ExcelinEd continues to support state leaders and stakeholders in 2025, we hope these resources, including our new School Choice Matters dashboard, will inspire new and expanded access to educational options for families. Together, we can empower families to find the best educational fit for their children and build stronger, more adaptable education systems nationwide.
Let’s lift up National School Choice Week as an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, explore new possibilities and continue advocating for educational opportunities that meet the needs of every family.
