National School Choice Week

Governor Bill Haslam officially declared January 24th through the 30th as Tennessee School Choice week.

The goal of the week is to let parents and kids know about the options they have to further their education, whether it be public, private, charter, or even magnet schools.

News 12 got a chance to speak Notre Dame High School Admissions Director Laura Goodhard about the importance that education brings.
"For a town our size, Chattanooga has a lot of educational choices." I think there’s something for everyone."

Goodhard said Chattanooga offers a wide variety of education opportunities.

"We have charter schools, magnet schools, public schools, private schools .Every level, developmentally, kids at different ages are grasping and learning different things."

School teacher, JP Nerbun said education also starts at home.

"My parents always believed that education started in the home first…but they believed the school should be an extension of that education they value."

Schools like Notre Dame High School, a faith based school, use religion as a way to help kids learn and grow.

"Education, and specifically our Catholic education. I think it can really…not just teach, raise test scores, and prepare people for the working force…Just so they can be good people and I think that’s the type of value…educational value a lot of parents are looking for."

Admissions Director Laura Goodhard said parents are searching for programs to help their children grow and achieve.

"They look for excellence academics, they look for maybe athletic programs, arts programs."

Goodhard said the hard work of the students at Notre Dame is paying off.

"20% of our senior class, got a 30 or above on the ACT and seeing these students, their academics have opened doors, they’re going to their dream schools."

There are over 250 School Choice week events being held across Tennessee.
Norte Dame says they hope to participate in those events in the future.