Vegas School Choice Fair Spotlights Nevada's Educational Crossroads

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 09, 2026 – Thousands of parents and students are expected to gather at IPEC Las Vegas on Saturday, January 24, for a bustling fair designed to demystify the increasingly complex world of K-12 education. The Las Vegas School Choice Fair will offer families a unique one-stop opportunity to explore a diverse array of learning environments, connecting them directly with representatives from public, charter, private, online, home, and microschools.

The free event, scheduled from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, is more than just an informational session; it's a reflection of a broader, nationwide movement toward parental empowerment in education. Timed to coincide with National School Choice Week, the fair aims to equip families with the knowledge needed to select the best educational path for their children. Organized by The Nevada School Choice Coalition, a project of the AFC Growth Fund, in collaboration with the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the event will feature family-friendly activities like balloon art, face painting, and complimentary snacks, with resources available in both English and Spanish.

"The main goal of the Las Vegas School Choice Fair is to bring families together to learn about school options and feel confident about their next steps," said Valeria Gurr, Senior Fellow for Policy and Advocacy at the AFC Growth Fund. "Every family deserves the information they need to make the best decision for their child's education. This fair connects parents with schools and community organizations. Importantly, it empowers parents to explore options, ask questions, and find the right environment for their children to thrive."

Empowering Parents in a Shifting Landscape

For many Las Vegas families, the search for the right school is driven by a desire to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Parental motivations vary widely, from seeking specialized academic or vocational programs to finding an environment that aligns with family values or provides a safer atmosphere. The concept of being tied to a specific school based on a home address—often called the "zip code lottery"—is a growing point of contention for parents who believe better options may exist just outside their neighborhood.

The fair directly addresses this by putting a multitude of choices under one roof. It provides a platform for parents to engage in face-to-face conversations with educators, ask pointed questions about curriculum and culture, and gather practical information on application processes and financial aid. This direct access is crucial for navigating what can otherwise be an overwhelming maze of deadlines, eligibility requirements, and competing educational philosophies.

This push for parental agency is a cornerstone of the school choice movement. Advocacy groups emphasize that empowering parents to choose leads to better student engagement and academic outcomes. The availability of bilingual resources at the fair underscores a commitment to ensuring that all members of Las Vegas's diverse community have equal access to this critical information.

Policy and Politics Fueling Nevada's Choice Momentum

The Las Vegas fair is occurring against a backdrop of significant policy shifts in Nevada's education system. The state has become a key battleground for school choice legislation, with advocates and policymakers actively working to expand options for families. State Senator Carrie Buck, a former educator and charter school leader with a Ph.D. in organizational leadership, is scheduled to deliver remarks at the event. Her presence highlights the political momentum behind the movement, as she is a member of the Senate Education Committee and a vocal proponent of expanding educational opportunities.

Nevada's legislative landscape already includes several choice mechanisms. The Educational Choice Scholarship Program, also known as the Opportunity Scholarship, allows corporations to receive tax credits for donating to scholarship organizations. These organizations then provide scholarships—worth up to $10,094 for the 2025-2026 school year—to students from low-to-middle-income families to attend private schools. While the program's funding cap limits its reach to just over 1,500 students annually, it represents a critical pathway for families who could not otherwise afford private tuition.

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the passage of Assembly Bill 533, which establishes statewide public school open enrollment. Set for full implementation by July 2026, the law will allow families to apply to any public school in the state with available space, regardless of their residential address. This policy directly tackles the "zip code lottery" and is celebrated by school choice proponents as a major victory for parental freedom.

These policies are championed by organizations like the AFC Growth Fund and its local arm, The Nevada School Choice Coalition. The AFC, a national nonprofit, focuses on advancing public policies that fund students directly and empower low-income families to choose their preferred K-12 school. Their advocacy, combined with legislative support, continues to shape the educational environment in the Silver State.

A Marketplace of Learning Models

The fair itself serves as a microcosm of Las Vegas's emerging educational marketplace. The Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the nation's largest with over 370 schools, remains the primary provider of public education. However, even within CCSD, choice exists through its highly sought-after magnet schools and Career & Technical Academies (CTAs), which offer specialized programs in fields from aviation to the performing arts.

Competing for students alongside the traditional public system are a growing number of alternatives. Nevada's charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate with greater autonomy, have grown to serve tens of thousands of students. These schools often feature innovative teaching methods or specialized curricula.

Private schools represent another major segment, with options in Nevada ranging from under $2,000 a year to more than $30,000 for elite preparatory academies. The state's average private school tuition hovers around $11,384, making the Opportunity Scholarship a vital tool for access. The fair will also feature information on less traditional but rapidly growing models, such as homeschooling and microschools—small, community-based learning environments that offer highly personalized instruction.

This competitive environment, where schools must attract families by demonstrating their unique value, is a central tenet of the school choice philosophy. Proponents argue that it fosters innovation, improves quality across all sectors, and ultimately makes the entire educational system more responsive to the diverse needs of students. The fair is where this marketplace becomes tangible, allowing parents to act as informed consumers for their children's future.