It’s kind of the name of the game.

The school wrapped up its celebration of National School Choice Week with an assembly and dance party on Friday.

The concept of school choice meant something different to everyone.

Senior Jadyn Bynum has been at the school since pre-K4.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School ninth grader Jaynah Snyder pushes the Tidioute Bulldog in a game of Hungry Hippos during the school’s School Choice Week celebration Friday.

He lives near the school, but school choice means more to him than having the closest option. “You get closer to the students and community, here,” Bynum said. “If you say something, people get it done.”

Sophomore Lucas Passauer first attended Tidioute in third grade. “More than other schools, it’s hands-on,” he said. “There’s more opportunity.”

For him, part of school choice means a chance to be in a school with a welding program.

“I’ve met a lot of people and been able to do a lot,” he said.

Fifth-grader Mataya Ongley lives in Spring Creek. “I like it because it’s not so big,” she said. “I know all my teachers.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School students and teachers participate in an over-and-under relay race during the School Choice Week celebration Friday.

While there are fewer people in her class than at Youngsville schools, her friend circle includes students in many grades. “I like that I have a lot of friends,” Ongley said.

The School Choice Week speakers kept it brief so students would have a chance to play games, dance, and enjoy cake and ice cream.

Board President Al Haney has been with the school since before it was formed.

“It’s probably 25 years ago that we started the fight to keep this school open,” Haney said. “It’s much better, now. The reason for that is you.”

“You are proving to a lot of folks that this is the way to go,” he said.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School sixth-grader Zach Hulse, wearing his School Choice scarf, cheers during the school’s School Choice Week celebration Friday.

The school has more students signed up to attend than it can take. There is a waiting list.

“We appreciate you choosing to come here,” CEO Dr. Doug Allen said. “Thank you. This day is about you.”

“As we look around this strong school community and family that we have created together, the school climate, culture, the relationships… realize this would not be possible without each and every one of you,” Principal Ryan Steffan said. “At TCCS, students know all students, students know every staff member, and vice versa.”

“When people choose to be in a location, research shows that they tend to be more committed,” Steffan said. “You can see the evidence of that here and the high level of student success here at TCCS.”

Physical Education Teacher Christy Valentine led the students (and some of the staff) in a number of competitions – from Hungry Hippos to relay races to the popular dance party.

“We are a family,” Valentine said.