While small schools create the necessary conditions for personalized learning, academic rigor and relevant curriculum, the structuring of small schools is not an end in itself. Rather, small schools are able to capitalize on their small size to focus on professional development and targeted teaching practices that are closely aligned with the small school’s vision and instructional framework.

Schools participating in the Oregon Small Schools Initiative were given latitude in designing their instructional models and curriculum. Over time, the applied practices at the schools grew to include Project Based Learning, Arts Integration, Expeditionary Learning, Professional Learning Communities, Community-Based Learning, Proficiency-Based Instruction and Assessment, and Distributive Leadership.

A small sampling of applied practices is provided below. Specific school examples may be found on their respective web sites. (See The Schools for a listing of schools.)

• Re-imagining High Schools Part I: Theory and design of small schools. Video.
• Re-imagining High Schools Part II: Samples of innovation in the classroom. Video.
• Arts Integration

Please visit this page again soon for additional case studies and descriptions of progressive practices.