When some people think about K–12 school choice, they often picture families in large metropolitan areas touring dozens of schools in search of the right fit. That certainly happens, but education options for families in Texas and across the country are continuing to evolve.
A new survey shows that last year, one in five parents living in suburbs, small towns, and rural communities enrolled their children in new schools––the same rate as the national average. However, when asked about the year ahead, 43% of parents in small towns say they are likely to explore new school options, compared to 71% of parents who live in larger cities.
This gap is less about interest and more about a lingering perception that families in less populated areas lack opportunities to exercise choice in how and where their children learn.
In Texas, parents have more education options than they may realize, even in smaller towns and rural communities. Alongside assigned traditional public schools, the Lone Star State is a national leader in giving families meaningful flexibility in choosing how and where their children learn.
Within the public education system, tuition-free schooling options include charter schools (which are widely available) and theme-based magnet schools (available in many districts). In some districts, parents may also be able to send their children to traditional public schools outside of their zones or attendance boundaries, if seats are available.
Parents can also consider private schools, and beginning in the 2026–27 school year, a new Education Freedom Account program will help families make private education more affordable by providing funding that can be used for private school tuition and other approved education expenses.
Many Texas families choose to educate their children at home, and homeschooling communities and learning collaboratives can be found across the state—including in smaller towns. Meanwhile, new options, such as community- based learning environments–– called microschools––are opening and providing additional opportunities for families who may not have easy access to traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
Finally, Texas offers full-time, tuition-free public online schools.
Far from the emergency remote learning of the pandemic era, these programs pair students with qualified teachers and provide structured instruction along with opportunities for students to interact with their classmates.
If you want to explore these education options in advance of the 2026–27 school year, the time to begin that process is now. National School Choice Week begins January 25, with 2,329 school events across Texas, including school fairs, open houses, parent nights, and information sessions.
Families in small towns may find that their education options feel more limited than those available in larger cities. But that does not mean meaningful choices do not exist. If you are considering a change—whether your child is entering a new grade level, you are looking for a better fit, or you simply want to understand what is available—taking time now to explore your options can be worthwhile. You may be surprised by what you find, and the right choice could make a lasting difference for your child’s future. To access a free guide to K–12 school choice options in Texas, visit https://myschoolchoice. com/texas.
Andrew Campanella is the CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the nonprofit organization that coordinates National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares. He is also the author of The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Choosing the Right School for Your Child.
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