Everyone has different ideas about how large or small a high school student body should be, but how do we come up with a number that really serves the best interests of students and communities long-term?
The recent article, Small Schools Rising, suggests that bigger high schools first came into vogue because they offered efficiency, access to a larger variety of courses, and more talented sports teams. But too often, close student-teacher relationships, so crucial to student growth and possible acceptance into college, are sacrificed. Efficiency also becomes questionable when even relatively uncomplicated decisions must be filtered through a large bureaucracy.
A trend toward the establishment of smaller high schools—perhaps averaging around 150 students per grade—has taken root across the country. While these schools have met with great success, some larger schools are even finding it beneficial to break into smaller units as well.
For additional consideration:
How can high school students make their experience a success no matter what size their school is? What works for some people may not work for others, and vice-versa. Perhaps, if feasible, different high schools in the area might be looked at (much as a student would look for a college that best suits his or her needs) to find a better fit than the one closest by.
