In small schools, parents, students and teachers see themselves as part of a community. Their sense of shared commitment to one another creates a safer environment and helps everyone remain focused on learning.
Comparing small schools (less than 300 students) with large schools (1,000 students or more), a report by the U.S. Department of Education in 1998 revealed that large schools have:
- 825% more violent crime
- 270% more vandalism
- 378% more theft and larceny
- 394% more physical fights or attacks
- 3,200% more robberies
- 1,000% more weapon incidents
The fact that there is less violence in small schools is attributed to the active role students, teachers, parents and community members play in cultivating personal ties with one another and shaping the culture of the school. In large schools, students are more likely to feel alienated or isolated. This sense of disengagement can lead students to vent their anger about school and their lives in inappropriate or violent behavior. In large schools more money is spent per student for counseling and security measures to prevent, anticipate and counter violence. In small schools where everyone knows each other, the norms and values of the community support positive behavior and non-violent conflict resolution.
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