Discovery Lab School is my little slice of Heaven. It’s a small school, first through eighth grade, in Yakima, Washington. My small school.
One can’t help but be a bit passionate about one’s home. Discovery’s 22 staff members, 211 current students, numerous past students, and Discovery families form a friendly community. In my experience, small schools allow participants to become deeply invested in each other and in the school’s focus and goals.
Small schools were the norm for generations until financial and administrative pressures began the shift to bigger as better. Characteristics of effective small schools include personalization, family and community involvement, high expectations for all students, and freedom.
According to a West Ed policy brief, “While large schools tend to be depersonalized, rule-governed organizations, small schools are able to be close-knit, flexible communities where no one is a stranger.” (Are Small Schools Better? WestEd Policy Brief)
Our small school has pulled together for some wonderful advancement in student test scores. We were so proud to be the only school in the state to earn both Elementary and Middle School “School of Distinction” Awards. Nine years ago we decided together to rearrange our school calendar in a way that allowed us to meet the needs of struggling students during more evenly spaced short breaks. I serve on a Site Council with parents and staff.
Knowing students and their families for up to more than the eight years their first child has been with us has allowed us to form long term relationships. My colleagues and I often write scholarship recommendation letters for students who have been out of our classes for three or more years. There is nothing I love better than seeing past students return to share their current activities and successes. As a middle school teacher in our building, I enjoy watching the baby brothers and sisters grow up until I get to teach them while at the same time periodically corresponding with the amazing past big brother or sister who is studying to be a journalist or teaching her own students in a classroom in Alaska.
It’s funny, but I can’t even imagine returning voluntarily to visit the large, impersonal junior high I endured years ago in California.
The freedom of small schools, sadly, can be greatly impacted by restrictions within the larger system. We have felt that frustration from time to time. After six years of success with our alternative calendar, we were required to move back to the traditional calendar in order to fit with the needs of the district at large.
Late Fall is the time when we would be, by choice, working with the students who need a bit of “catching up” while their peers are enjoying the fall weather at home. Because I know what Juan and Halley need, having known them for a few years, I wish I could be helping them in small groups this week. Still, I’m grateful for what we do have. We’ll make it work. We’re family.
Other readings are available at the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities website on small schools.
Irene Smith is a guest blogger and teacher in the Yakima School District.
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