Ensuring a Future For Our Kids

Small schools are linked to high achievement and low drop-out rates • 1 Small school graduates are more likely to go to college and perform well • 1 Small schools are particularly effective for students from low-income • families and for students of color, helping to reduce the achievement gap1 Small Schools are Cost Effective Savings through innovation: Educational Service Districts provide support to reduce administrative and • program delivery costs Small schools reduce administrative costs through cooperative services • and shared or part-time administrators When practical, student academic and activity programs are combined for • added efficiency Distance learning opportunities supplement curriculum offered on site• Savings through local control: Operational cost per graduate is often less than that of larger districts • 2 Potential savings of administrative costs in larger districts are offset by the • costs of security, facilities maintenance, and operations2 Neighborhood schools reduce transportation costs • 2 Opportunity for Participation: A Strength of Small Schools Student and parent participation in school activities is high in small • community schools4 Students who participate in activities at school have higher achievement, • are less likely to drop out, have higher self-esteem, attend school more regularly, and have fewer behavior problems