GoodSchoolsRoc to Host School Choice Fair at MCC Downtown Campus

More than 40 schools and community organizations will gather next month at Monroe Community College’s downtown campus to provide Rochester families with information about local education options during the annual GoodSchoolsRoc School Choice Fair.

The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at MCC Downtown Campus, 321 State St. Parking will be free and no RSVP is required.

Organizers say the fair is designed to help parents and guardians explore a wide range of educational opportunities for their children, including Pre-K programs, public charter schools and private schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade. Representatives from community-based organizations will also be on hand to share resources that support students and families beyond the classroom.

Families attending the event will have the chance to speak directly with school leaders and admissions representatives, ask questions about curriculum and extracurricular offerings, and learn about application deadlines and enrollment requirements.

As an added incentive, the first 100 attendees will receive free passes to the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Organizers will also hold a drawing for an iPad Mini and gift cards during the event.

GoodSchoolsRoc operates as a centralized online platform where parents can learn about and apply to all Rochester charter schools. The initiative is a program of EDceptional, a charter sector support organization focused on improving educational outcomes for students in the City of Rochester. According to organizers, EDceptional is the only organization supporting all local charter schools in their efforts to meet enrollment goals and pursue academic excellence.

Participating schools represent a broad cross-section of Rochester’s educational landscape.

Pre-K options will include ABC Head Start, operated by Action for Better Community.

Charter schools scheduled to attend include Academy of Health Sciences Charter School; BRICK Rochester Academy Charter School; Citizenship & Science Academy of Rochester Charter School; Discovery Charter School; Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School; Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science & Technology; Genesee Community Charter Schools; Green Tech Rochester Elementary Charter School for Boys; Innova Girls Academy Charter School; Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts; Rochester Academy Charter School; Rochester Academy of Science Charter School; Rochester Prep Charter Schools; University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men; Vertus High School; and Young Women’s College Prep Charter School of Rochester.

Private schools participating in the fair include Allendale Columbia School; Aquinas Institute of Rochester; Bishop Kearney High School; Destiny Christian School; Hope Hall School; McQuaid Jesuit High School; Nativity Preparatory Academy; Nazareth Elementary School; Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women; Rochester Christian School; The Harley School; The Norman Howard School; and Villa of Hope School.

In addition to schools, a variety of community-based organizations will be present, including A Horse’s Friend; Borinquen Dance Theatre; Education Success Foundation; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Foodlink; Garth Fagan Dance; Healthplex; Imani Love LLC; iVolve Me; New York Life; READY (Rochester Education and Development for Youth); ROCmusic; Strength2Say / Let’s Get L.I.T.; and the Urban League of Rochester.

Organizers say the goal of the School Choice Fair is to provide families with clear, accessible information in one centralized location, helping them make informed decisions about their children’s education.

More information is available at GoodSchoolsRoc.org.