The Benefits of Small Schools: 5 Reasons Why Small Schools are the Way to Go

My friend and I sat down with our coffee to catch up before our weekly trip to Target. As teachers, the topic quickly drifted to our schools, students, and how many pencils we had lost in the last week alone.

“There are 26 children in my new school, “ I told her, having recently changed jobs. We had a lot of ground to cover.

“You mean in your class, right?” she laughed.

I hesitated, knowing that my new class size was about to spark some serious envy.

“You’re serious? I have 30 just in my homeroom!” 

My friend couldn’t believe what I had told her. What was it like having only 26 children in your entire school? As a seasoned public school teacher, she had no idea.

Let me give you some insight.

1. Small schools are loving. 

This isn’t to say that larger schools can’t be caring environments, but being part of a small community adds new levels of closeness and attachment. Compared to larger schools, learners in smaller schools fight less, feel safer, and come to school more frequently. In a school where we all know each other, it’s hard to feel like a number.

2. We’re a family (and about the size of one, too)

Our small school ranges from kindergarten to fifth grade. As teachers, we get the joy of watching our learners grow up without losing touch with them. They stay with us for more than one year at a time, and our atmosphere is very familial. With a small number of learners, I’m able to know the names of their pets, their favorite color (this week), which foods they despise, and every other minute detail of their lives. 

3. Teachers are really stinking happy.

Teachers at smaller schools report higher levels of job satisfaction. After what you’ve read so far, can you blame us? With higher levels of job satisfaction comes higher retention rates and more consistency for learners. It’s a win-win situation. If teachers are happy, the environment is happy, which makes for happy learners.

4. Learning is personalized

I’m about to say something crazy. Are you ready? 

I don’t write lesson plans.

Let me say that again.

I don’t write lesson plans.

Having an average of eleven to sixteen learners in my studio at any given time means that I’m not running copies of a thousand worksheets during my breaks. I can sit down with each learner, assess their needs, and guide them in the right direction. I have the luxury of tailoring instruction to meet each learner’s needs without feeling teacher burnout. 

This can look a little different for our older learners, but that’s for another blog. Stay tuned.

5. Citizenship is a priority

Smaller schools naturally create environments in which good citizenship is a nonnegotiable. You’re held accountable for your actions by the other members of your community, instilling a strong sense of group responsibility. Learners are also more engaged, creating an atmosphere that enhances social emotional skills and peer problem-solving. 

What’s the big picture?

Especially when public schools are coming out with reopening plans and everyone is trying to figure out how to juggle reduced classroom sizes, social distancing, and safety protocols, I find myself more and more thankful for my small school. As the next school year approaches, I feel prepared to offer my students a meaningful educational experience while also keeping them safe. I know my kids, what they need, and how to guide them to reach their full potential.

-Megan Doherty, lower elementary educator