Posted on Modified on Posted by National School Choice Week Team
January 2025 Survey of Black Parents

When it comes to K–12 school choice, Black parents are more likely to search for new schools for their children than any other demographic group.
According to a recent survey of 552 Black parents of school-aged children in the United States, conducted by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, 68% of Black parents said they thought about, considered, searched for, or chose new schools for their children in the past year. In comparison, 60% of all U.S. parents (in a larger survey sample that includes Black parents), reported doing the same.
“The survey results show that Black families are leading efforts to ensure their children have access to education that meets their needs. With 68% of parents considering new schools last year, it’s clear that families are not only exploring options but also seeking solutions to long-standing challenges. Parents are choosing diverse paths such as charter and magnet schools, homeschooling, and online learning, Black parents are creating opportunities that address inequities and prepare their children for success in an ever-changing world that hasn’t always served them equitably.”
– Alissa Jacques, Manager of Digital Communications, National School Choice Awareness Foundation
What is School Choice?
School choice refers to the process of parents selecting traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, home, and other non-traditional education options for their children. Over the past four years, more than half of U.S. states have enacted or improved policies that allow parents greater flexibility in choosing learning environments that meet their children’s needs.
School Searching Trends Among Black Parents
Notably, 75% of Black parents aged 18 to 29 said they considered new schools, and parents in cities and suburbs were slightly more likely to pursue a change than families in rural areas. However, not all families who searched for schools ultimately enrolled their children in new ones—only 28% did so last year.

Among Black parents who enrolled their children in new schools last year, they overwhelmingly selected public-sector options, with 24% indicating they enrolled their children in local public schools, 12% saying they selected public schools outside of their zones, 20% picking public charter schools, and 18% selecting public magnet schools. Ten percent chose to homeschool their children, while 8% opted for full time online learning, 5% chose private and faith-based schools, and 3% enrolled their children in nontraditional options such as microschooling.

Data shows that Black families are already exercising school choice at higher rates than their peers. For instance, 37% of Black parents said their children attended different types of schools than their siblings, a rate 10 percentage points higher than that of all U.S. parents. Additionally, 50% of Black parents reported that their children attended different types of schools than they did growing up.
“The fact that Black parents are more likely than any other group to search for new schools reflects both the challenges they face in finding environments that meet their children’s unique needs and the determination to overcome those barriers. The data shows that school choice is not just a preference but a necessity for many families seeking schools that support academic excellence while addressing systemic inequities. This trend also highlights a generational shift, as younger Black parents lead the way in prioritizing options that offer both quality education and cultural affirmation for their children.”
– Shaunette Parker, Director of Awareness Events, National School Choice Awareness Foundation
Looking Ahead
School choice is a frequent topic of conversation in households with Black parents, with 66% of parents saying they have discussed schooling options with family and friends within the past month. Looking ahead, 46% of Black parents said they are likely to choose new schools for their children next year.
To view our survey on all U.S. parents, check out our January 2025 survey.