The Things You Learn in a Small School

Most of the schools in today's society are overpopulated, often bringing in students from over 15 miles away. But there are still a few fighting districts left in this country that make a major attempt to keep their schools small, most of which stay with the age old program of Kindergarten through twelfth grade in the same building. They seem much more like a private school or even a large home schooled family to the outside world, but what do they offer that larger public schools don't?

# 1 ~ Community!

Since the beginning of time, people have grown in "communities". They lived near each other, shopped together, frequented the same places, etec. The need for "togetherness" is simply human nature and attending a small school nurture's that need by offering small classes, local teachers and staff, community wide programs and friendly faces that know you by name.

# 2 ~ Forever Friendships

When you attend a small school, you are often with the same people throughout your education. For example, if you start Kindergarten with 20 people, chances are, you will be graduating with the same 20 people. You will have spent 30 hours a week with these people for 13 years. When you spend that much time with people, especially in small groups, they become your friends, your family. Sometimes you hate them, but most of the time you love them. These are people that you will grow with and remain friends with, probably throughout your life.

# 3 ~ More One On One Attention Per Student!!!

This is a major advantage of a small school. The Student Teacher Ratio. Small schools generally have a better student teacher ratio, which means your child is getting more individualized attention! That is the most important step in a healthy learning environment. Large Public School teachers are taught to teach the average child! So, if your child is slightly above average or slightly below average he/she will either be struggling to keep up or bored out of their minds! In a small school, the teachers are more likely to have the time to spend with a slightly ahead or behind child, because they have less students to teach and to keep under control at one time.

I was lucky enough to attend a school like this and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for the best public school option for their child.

I know and still know every single teacher I ever had, I know who I graduated with, each and every one of them, I know their birthdays and their parents names, where they grew up and I still say hello and smile at them when I run in to them. Do you?