Creating a small school, whether it's a new start-up or a large school conversion, can seem overwhelming. Here are some steps to help you get started:
Research the benefits of small schools
One of the first things you and your colleagues will want to do is understand the benefits of small schools and the supporting research.
Visit successful small schools
Visit small schools across the nation that are built on relationships, rigor, and relevance. These visits will help you learn more about how successful small schools create a common focus and an inclusive collaborative school culture.
We have developed a list of questions, what to look for when visiting a school, to help you plan your visit, maximize your visit, reflect on what you learn and what you can bring back and share with your colleagues. Our partners at Architects for Achievement have created a set of guiding questions for visitations that will also be helpful.
Build connections with family and community
Start early with building family and community connections. Successful small schools reflect the priorities and meet the needs of their communities. Your school board is one group that you will want to communicate with early and often as your plans develop. To help you get started, the Small Schools Project developed a set of tips for school board presentations.
Collect data Collect baseline data—both quantitative and qualitative—from students, teachers, and parents.
