In an effort to educate and empower Alaska families when it comes to educational freedoms, a School Choice Week celebration is being held this month to highlight educational options across the state, such as homeschooling, private schools, charter options and various other publicly funded educational choices.

Hosted by a group called Brave Nation, in conjunction with the nation School Choice Week, the gathering, is open to the public, and takes place at the Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 21, in Anchorage (10 am-12:30 pm). It will include several presentations, including talks from Kelly Tshibaka, Nick Begich, Stephanie Taylor.

Leigh Sloan, who works with Brave Nation to empower local leaders to create significant cultural reform in their spheres of influence, is coordinating the event and will be one of the featured speakers.

Schools, organizations or businesses can reserve a vendor table at the event, here.

The gathering entails a student essay contest on “what school choice means to me.” Brave Nation is sponsoring this contest with a first place prize of $100. Enter here.

Food, entertainment and vendors will also be available.

The event marks the kickoff of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28), a period in which educational choice advocates across the nation highlight educational freedom for students and families.

Last week, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation for School Choice Week, saying Alaskans must “exercise creativity in providing a multitude of excellent educational options for parents to choose from due to our state’s unique geographical challenges.”

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