Miami Hosts SLAM-A-PALOOZA for 1000s of Students Jan 30

Students from across the country are getting ready to show off their school spirit in a big way at the end of January.

SLAM-A-PALOOZA 2026 will bring together thousands of K-12 students from five states on Friday, January 30 for a virtual celebration of creativity and school pride. The event takes place at SLAM Miami from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM and is free for families, educators, and community members to attend.

Students from Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Texas, and Georgia will compete in friendly challenges that highlight what makes their schools unique. Seven schools from across Florida alone will gather to connect and celebrate their campus cultures.

"Students thrive when families can choose among many learning environments," said Rocio Diaz, Executive Director of SLAM Miami. "The most exciting part of The SLAM-A-PALOOZA is seeing seven schools from across Florida come together to compete, connect, and showcase the unique pride and spirit that make each campus special."

The event is organized by SLAM Foundation and the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. It's timed to coincide with National School Choice Week, which runs January 25-31 and features 28,000 events across America.

Over the past decade, the five participating states have significantly expanded education options for families. Students now have access to public, public charter, magnet, private, online, home, and other learning environments that can better match their individual needs.

The Ripple Effect

The celebration is part of a larger movement to help families discover the learning environments that work best for their children. When students find the right fit, they're more engaged, confident, and excited about learning.

This year's National School Choice Week aims to empower parents with information about available options and guide them through choosing schools that meet their children's unique needs. The focus is on awareness and support rather than politics or legislation.

The energy and enthusiasm students bring to events like SLAM-A-PALOOZA shows what's possible when kids feel genuinely connected to their schools and proud of their learning communities.