Small Schools
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About Us Main Page
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As the name indicates, size is one determining characteristic of a small school, yet
small schools are about much more than size. The concept of small schools is based
on the premise that, in contrast to large, factory-model schools, small schools can
create a more intimate learning environment that is better able to address the needs of
those within the school. Students, teachers, and parents may all be better served if the
school is small enough to allow for communication to flow, opportunities for
collaboration to be cultivated, and meaningful relationships to be fostered.
COMMON FEATURES
Each small school is unique to the community that it serves, however, there are some
common features that often characterize good small schools.
A maximum population of 250-300 students in a heterogeneous mix that represents the
local school community
A non-exclusive admissions policy
A consistent educational experience for students over an extended period of time (more
than one year)
A coherent focus and philosophy of education, and a curriculum that is integrated around
that focus
A cohesive group of teachers that collaborate and discuss the needs of their students
A sense of shared leadership and investment among those in the small school
Involvement of families in the school community
WHAT DO SMALL SCHOOLS LOOK LIKE?
Organization:
Each small school may be configured differently. Small schools may be:
Free-standing small schools: Small school with their own facilities and administration
Schools-within-schools: One or more small schools which develop within a larger,
"host" school
Multiplex: One building specifically intended to house several small schools
Scatterplex: Two or more small schools at different sites that share a principal
Charter schools: Independent, often small, public schools, designed and operated by
educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs and others
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SMALL SCHOOLS?
Research shows that some of the benefits of small schools include:
Higher student achievement
Students are more visible
Reduced violence and disruptive behavior
Improved attendance and graduation rates
Increased teacher satisfaction
More cost effective
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SMALL SCHOOLS
Small schools mean small class size - Not necessarily. A small school may or may not
have classes of small size. However, some of the benefits of small class size (more
personalized instruction and more manageable classroom atmosphere) can be
achieved in a small school regardless of class size. A small school offers an
environment in which students are more visible. In other words, students can be better
known by their teachers, allowing teachers to more easily identify individual talents and
unique needs of each student and therefore offer a more personalized educational
experience. A small school staff size allows more opportunity for teachers to know each
other well, more easily share information about their students, collaborate to solve
problems, and generally support one another.
Small Schools is just another program - False. Small schools are a way of restructuring
schools and the human relationships inside them.
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