About Small Schools

• Size is one determining characteristic of a small school, yet small schools are about much more than size.  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 each student and teacher. Students, teachers, and parents may all be better served when a school is small enough to allow for effective communication amongst educators, students and the school community.  In small schools, meaningful relationships are fostered and opportunities for collaboration are cultivated.
• A small school offers an environment in which students are more visible. When students are better known, teachers can more easily identify individual talents and unique needs of each student, offering 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, and collaborate to solve problems, and generally support one another.
• Small schools are a way of restructuring schools and the human relationships inside them.

Research shows that some of the benefits of small schools include:

• Higher student achievement
• Students are more visible
• Reduce violence and disruptive behavior
• Improved attendance and graduation rates
• Increased teacher satisfaction