Pros and Cons of Small Schools

In recent years there has been a growing trend toward smaller school size. Assess the pros and cons of small schools; along with the individual needs of your children, to decide what size school is best for them.

Small schools are found to have a correlation with higher attendance, academic achievement and graduation rates. When schools and class sizes are smaller, each child receives more attention from teachers and support staff. However, higher academic achievement and personal development is linked to sports and other extra curricular activities, which is the area where most small schools are lacking. Many small schools do not have the funding or staff to support after school programs or extracurricular activities. Also in the area of personal development for children, large schools are shown to have greater diversity of student body and more social learning opportunities for students.

It’s also important to note that small schools are more costly, whether they are private schools directly costing parents, or small public schools that create a heavier burden for taxpayers. To learn more about the pros and cons of small schools, read the article, “How Important is School Size?” found here.