Each year, National School Choice Week shines a bright spotlight on one powerful idea: every child deserves access to an education that meets their unique needs.  

At the Elizabeth Lee Black School at the Barber National Institute, School Choice Week is more than a national celebration—it is a daily reality and a deeply held commitment. 

What School Choice Week Represents 

National School Choice Week is the largest annual celebration of opportunity in education, highlighting the wide range of options available to families, including public schools, private schools, charter schools, magnet programs, and specialized education settings. At its heart, School Choice Week recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning. 

For students with disabilities and complex learning needs, having choices is especially important. The right educational setting can unlock confidence, independence, communication, and lifelong skills. School Choice Week reminds us that families deserve the freedom to choose schools that honor their children’s abilities, celebrate their individuality, and support their growth. 

Finding Their Place at Elizabeth Lee Black School 

The Elizabeth Lee Black School exemplifies what it means to help students “find their place.” As part of the Barber National Institute, the school provides a highly specialized, student-centered educational environment designed to meet learners where they are—and help them go further than they ever imagined possible. 

At Elizabeth Lee Black School: 

• Instruction is individualized and purposeful 

• Students are supported by skilled, compassionate educators and therapists 

• Learning extends beyond academics to include life skills, communication, and independence 

• Each student’s strengths, interests, and goals shape their educational experience 

Families who choose Elizabeth Lee Black School do so because they are seeking more than a classroom—they are seeking a community that understands their child, values inclusion, and believes in possibility. 

Why School Choice Matters 

School Choice Week highlights an essential truth: when families are empowered to choose the right school, students succeed. Choice allows families to find environments that align with their child’s learning style, medical needs, social development, and emotional well-being. 

For the Elizabeth Lee Black School, choice means creating space where students feel safe to learn, supported to grow, and proud of who they are. It means fostering independence, celebrating progress—big and small—and partnering with families every step of the way. 

Celebrating Our Students, Families, and Educators 

During School Choice Week, we celebrate: 

• Students, whose determination and resilience inspire us every day 

• Families, who advocate tirelessly for the best opportunities for their children 

• Educators and staff, whose dedication transforms classrooms into places of belonging and growth 

Their combined efforts create an environment where students don’t just attend school—they belong. 

Looking Ahead 

As we celebrate School Choice Week, we recommit ourselves to the belief that every student deserves the chance to learn in a setting where they are understood, valued, and supported. At the Elizabeth Lee Black School at the Barber National Institute, school choice is not just a policy—it is a promise. 

A promise to meet students where they are. 
A promise to help them find their place. 
And a promise to believe in what they can achieve.