Small schools make stronger communities

One of the first things which I noticed when I began working with the FISD schools was the strong sense of community. When walking the hallways with administrators, I am extremely impressed with their ability to know each student by name and be able to tell a quick anecdote about some recent accomplishment. These types of relationships are heavily influenced by the belief that smaller schools are more beneficial for student learning.

Late last year, FISD's Superintendant Dr Reedy, released a statement supporting his and FISD’s views on this subject. Like Dr. Reedy, I support the smaller school system and feel that smaller schools enable students to have a stronger connection with teachers and the school administration. It allows for more specific instruction modifications as teachers know their students’ needs and goals more personally than in a larger setting. Students are less likely to feel lost in the crowd when personalized attention can be afforded to them. This type of structure also allows for more students to achieve and excel in sports and extracurricular activities by building positive and motivational competitions with friends attending other local FISD schools.

While it is true that this type of schooling is normally more expensive than a larger school format, I believe that the end result creates more positive outcomes for the tax-paying community. Smaller schools help build stronger communities by installing in our children a strong understanding of citizenship and community life.