|
 National studies have indicated that students who attend small schools enjoy school more, have lower transfer and dropout rates, have closer relationships among students, teachers, and families, and do better academically. In response, the Boston Public Schools (BPS) has made a commitment to creating more small schools and small learning communities in the district as part of an overall effort to dramatically improve teaching and learning.
Boston's "portfolio" of high schools now includes small schools, pilot schools, Horace Mann charter schools, schools with small learning communities and exam schools. In Boston, Pilot Schools began in 1994 through the collaboration of Boston's Public Schools and the Boston Teachers' Union. Pilot schools designed to support innovative education, are part of the public school district, but have a high level of independence in curriculum, personnel policies and other decision making. Similarly, Horace Mann Charter Schools are a Massachusetts Department of Education initiative, creating small, independent schools within the public school district.
With the advent of the High School Renewal initiative, Boston Public Schools has launched new Small Schools at the high school level, while the other high schools are offering Small Learning Communities, which provide small, supportive learning environments within the larger high school.
 School Profiles: What makes our schools different? Learn more about the benefits and special features of Boston's high schools in the school profiles at http://www.highschoolrenewal.org/schools
Overview: Read about small schools at http://www.highschoolrenewal.org/schools/intro.htm
History: View the history of high school renewal to date at http://www.highschoolrenewal.org/timeline.htm
Read Larry Myatt's article: Fulfilling the Promise of Small Schools
|
