OPINION — All children learn differently, and what may be a great learning environment for one student can be a poor fit for another.
That’s why 1 in 5 parents last year enrolled at least one of their children in a new K–12 school. In fact, the process of moms and dads actively choosing how and where their children learn — often referred to as school choice — reached a five-year high in 2025.
Meanwhile, more than 60% of parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children in 2026 — suggesting another active year for families making enrollment decisions. What that means for your family depends, in large part, on where you live.
In Arizona, parents have more education options than they may realize. Alongside assigned traditional public schools, the Grand Canyon State is a national leader in giving families meaningful flexibility in choosing how and where their children learn.
The state allows parents to send their children to traditional public schools outside of their zones and districts, if seats are available. Other tuition-free public schooling options include charter schools (which are widely available), theme-based magnet schools (available in many districts) and full-time online schools.
Parents can also consider private schools, and Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program helps eligible families make private education more affordable by providing funding that can be used for private school tuition and other approved education expenses. Finally, Arizona moms and dads have the freedom to educate their children at home, and some families pair homeschooling with microschools or learning pods.
Parents who want to explore these education options in advance of the 2026–27 school year, should begin that process now. National School Choice Week begins Jan. 25, with 1,022 school events across Arizona, including school fairs, open houses, parent nights and information sessions.
Before starting your search, it can help to pause and write down your goals for your child and what you want in an ideal learning environment. Doing so helps center the process on what — and who — really matters: your daughter or your son. When possible, visit schools and schedule tours or meetings with staff. Research shows that parents who visit schools in person are twice as likely to enroll their children in a new school as parents who search without touring or visiting.
During those visits, ask questions. One of the most common mistakes parents make is accepting education jargon — of which there is plenty — at face value. If you do not understand a term, a reference to curriculum or instructional methods or a school policy, ask for clarification until you do. You may also want to talk with other parents about their experiences, while keeping in mind that their perspectives are shaped by their own child’s unique needs.
Remember, you know your child better than anyone. When it comes to your child’s well-being, you are the expert. Finding the right school is not about choosing what works for everyone, it’s about choosing what fits your daughter or son best.
To access a free guide to K–12 school choice options in Arizona, parents may visit myschoolchoice.com/arizona.
Andrew Campanella is CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the nonprofit organization that coordinates National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares. He is also the author of “The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Choosing the Right School for Your Child.” Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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