by Kristen Bevilacqua

Created on: August 31, 2009   Last Updated: September 02, 2009

Love it or hate it, high school is the community that will most affect teenagers' lives. For almost all teens, their educational and personal life focusses around it. The atmosphere of high school varies school to school and its size can greatly alter that dynamic and the quality of the institution.

I attended a very small high school. While the experience was great for me, there were some elements missing from my high school career that other students might consider important. When choosing whether a small or large high school is the best option for a student, some important pros and cons should be considered.

Pros*

Class sizes are usually smaller at small high schools. With fewer students in a class, students get more personal attention from their teachers. Shy students may feel more comfortable participating and asking questions and in more intimate class settings.

Fewer students equal fewer cliques. The atmosphere at small schools encourages close friendships since classmates get to know each other better than they would with thousands of peers in the same building. There is no opportunity to be anonymous, so students are more accountable to themselves. I knew the name of every student in my graduating class and the classes below me when I graduated from high school.


Cons*

Large high schools tend to have a more diverse student body. While smaller schools may foster an atmosphere for close friendships, it is less likely that their students will be exposed to as many different ethnicities and cultures as their large school counterparts.

With diversity comes differences. A small and less diverse school does not introduce students to various and opposing opinions. For students' budding minds, the exploration of all ideas is important for their development and self-discovery.

Although there may be less competition for Editor of the school newspaper or yearbook, the choices for extra curricular activities are more limited at a small high school. For example, my high school did not have any sports teams. If one of my classmates would have liked to play competitive sports, she would have had to join a league or group not affiliated with our school - not as convenient as playing on your school team.

The facilities can also be limited as a small school. They may not have a gymnasium, or functioning cafeteria; if there is a science lab it is probably shared by all grades studying different sciences.


A small high school was the ideal learning environment for me. I embraced the intimate learning environment where I felt most comfortable raising questions and forming opinions that have shaped me as a person. The right choice - small or large high school - will be different for each student depending on their interests and learning styles.

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