Case Study: New Haven Public Schools achieves a streamlined virtual School Choice Expo reaching 800 families with Zoom Video Communications

New Haven Public Schools Hosts Virtual School Choice Expo Using Zoom Events

New Haven Public Schools’ Office of School Choice, which runs an annual School Choice Expo to showcase 30 magnet and charter schools, could not hold its largest family event in person because of COVID-19 restrictions (and faced weather challenges in January). After using Zoom Webinar in 2021—forcing organizers to manage about 30 separate links—the district needed a more streamlined virtual solution.

NHPS moved the expo to Zoom Events, using a single event link, a lobby with an agenda, and 30 live sessions that parents could preview and join; organizers uploaded schedules easily and tracked attendance with built‑in analytics. The virtual format drew about 800 attendees despite a snowstorm, simplified logistics and costs, increased parent engagement, and prompted other district departments to adopt Zoom Events—positioning the district to continue virtual or hybrid expos in the future.

New Haven Public Schools

Marquelle Middleton

Director of School Choice & Enrollment