Across the country, schools and districts are creating small high schools or converting existing comprehensive schools into multiple small schools. Their successes are well documented and are supported by decades of research that reveals the benefits of small schools to all students.

Here are just a few models of small school success.

Boston Arts Academy
As a pilot school within the Boston Public Schools, the Arts Academy is charged with being a laboratory of academic innovation and a beacon for arts education. The Arts Academy is a collaborative project between the Boston Public Schools and ProArts Consortium, an association of six internationally known institutions of higher learning specializing in the visual arts, performing arts, and architecture: Berklee College of Music, Boston Architectural Center, the Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

High Tech High
The Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School is a bold innovation in public education. Launched in September 2000 by an industry and educator coalition, High Tech High occupies a newly designed learning space at the former Naval Training Center in San Diego. A small, diverse learning community with a current enrollment of 452 students, High Tech High is founded on three design principles: personalization, adult-world connection, and a common intellectual mission.

Julia Richman Education Complex
In the 1990's, after years of budget cuts, unsuccessful reorganization, and academic decline, Julia Richman was labeled a failing school. In 1995, the building was redesigned from a single school into small autonomous learning communities. As a multi-age, multi-service, learning community, its building-wide programs and shared common spaces rely on thoughtful planning and building-wide collaboration.

Mountlake Terrace High School
Mountlake Terrace High School has always strived for the academic achievement and the well being of our students.  After trying a variety of programs and approaches to create an environment in which all students are successful, the school and community decided to convert to small schools to accomplish,  deeper, more meaningful change. In the Fall of 2003, Mountlake was reorganized into five smaller schools—The Discovery School, The Innovation School, The Renaissance School, Terrace Arts & Academics School, Achievement, Opportunity and Service Community.

The Metorpolitan Regional and Technical Center
Opened in Providence in 1996, “The Met” is a unique state-funded public school, open to all Rhode Island students in grades 9-12. Three-quarters of The Met’s students come from Providence, with the remaining quarter from more than a dozen towns and cities across the state. The Met now houses 336 students in six separate school buildings on three Providence campuses. Although it plans to expand to approximately 700 students, it will limit enrollment to 110 students per school, divided into eight advisories, with two from each grade.

New Technology High School
New Technology High School opened its doors in 1996. The idea for the school emerged when several local businesspeople proposed the concept for a school in which students would learn the skills necessary to succeed in the New Economy. New Technology High School has graduated 361 students, sending them to an impressive list of top colleges and internships with nearby Silicon Valley companies.