[Gallery] School Choice Week whistle stop at Sunset Station in San Antonio

Last week, the National School Choice Week  whistle-stop tour visited Sunset Station in San Antonio for a rally that brought together groups representing many forms of school choice: charter schools, private schools, Catholic schools, virtual schools, homeschoolers, and more.

There was so much to like about this event. National recognition of San Antonio’s recent rapid progress in expanding school choice options. Strong representation from both private schools (especially a large contingent from Holy Cross) and charter schools. An opportunity to showcase historic Sunset Station, a beautiful but underused venue in the heart of the city. Lots and lots of yellow fleece scarves. (Now F.T.’s favorite scarf—he wears it everywhere.)

And, it was a great party—check out this dance break:

The program featured several distinguished speakers. State Senator Donna Campbell (campaign site) declared: “School choice is a win for every child.” Mike Flores, the parent of several KIPP: San Antonio students, shared the joy of getting his kids a college-ready education while staying in his own neighborhood inside Loop 410. Also speaking: Choose to Succeed CEO Matthew Randazzo, Justice Foundation President Allan Parker, and of course National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

To conclude the program, students from Brooks Academy, IDEA Public Schools, and Jubilee Academic Center got on the stage to ring a bell to signal freedom to choose your school.

More local coverage: “San Antonians rally for school choices”, Maria Luisa Cesar, San Antonio Express-News, January 27, 2014; “San Antonio targeted for National School Choice Week event”, Maria Luisa Cesar, San Antonio Express-News, December 8, 2013; “Families, educators push for more school choices”, Eileen Gonzales, KSAT-12, January 27, 2014.

My friends tell me I missed a great event at the National School Choice Week kickoff in Houston, which featured Senator Ted Cruz, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Houston ISD Superintendent Terry Grier. “Thousands rally for school choice in Houston”, Anita Hassan, Houston Chronicle, January 25, 2014.