Nearly six million students are enrolled in K-12 schools across California, a system as vast and diverse as the state itself. But can one educational model meet every child’s unique needs? National School Choice Week 2025 is a time to reflect on the value of providing families with diverse options to find the best fit for their children’s education.
School choice allows families to address their children’s individual needs—whether it’s accessing specialized programs, schedules to fit a child’s learning style, or supportive learning environments – within the state’s various and vast urban, suburban, and rural communities. This freedom can be life-changing and offers students the chance to thrive in settings tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.
For example, 18-year-old artist Gianna Fenner discovered her passion for animation through a virtual learning model with California Virtual Academies (CAVA). Gianna struggled with academic anxiety but later thrived in an environment supportive of her talents, ultimately winning a national “My Senior Reel” competition and a scholarship to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Seventh-grader Kylie Mori escaped bullying and pursued her passion for photography, earning first place in the K12 Photography Competition. Their stories highlight the transformative power of school choice, which enables students to turn challenges into opportunities and achieve their goals.
Read the full article: Empowering California families through school choice
