Some students thrive on getting lost in a crowd and being one of many. However, most will appreciate the advantages offered by a smaller school.
Benefits of a Small School
Students attending a smaller school will realize some fairly obvious benefits as well as those that are more intangible or unexpected.
Smaller Class Size
Predictably, a smaller school almost always translates to smaller class sizes. That can foster closer relationships between students and with teachers and staff, and can facilitate more individualized instruction. With our one-on-one approach at The Tenney School, we’ve put the focus on this key tool to student success and offer the ultimate in small class size with our one teacher per student Power of One approach.
Individualized Instruction
Smaller class size goes hand in hand with the opportunity to individualize and tailor instruction to a smaller group of students. Of course, at The Tenney School, individualized instruction is the name of the game.
Safety and Sense of Community
In a smaller school, every face you see is familiar. The time we all spend together, working closely, means we get to know each other well. That makes it easier to ensure everyone feels like they belong, and that no one is left out. Knowing every face and even whole families promote a natural safety on our school grounds when unfamiliar faces are easily spotted.
Better Relationships
When students, teachers, and administration form the community they do in a smaller school, the relationships between them are usually stronger and better. Teachers and administration become mentors and people to greet rather than faceless people in “the office”. Students will also generally make stronger friendships with their peers in a smaller school.
More Inter-Grade Interaction
Just because we focus on a one-to-one student-teacher ratio doesn’t mean students are at all isolated. In fact, the simplified logistics of smaller schools provide tremendous opportunities for students in different grades to interact, work, and learn together. Cross-grade social activities made easier in smaller schools can promote a better sense of community and empathy among students.
Better Performance
Studies have shown that students in smaller schools have higher attendance levels, and graduation rates can be up to 10% higher than in larger schools.
Less Bullying
Smaller schools where everyone knows everyone and students and teachers work closely together tend to discourage bullying and cliques.
More Opportunities to Participate
Because of their size, smaller schools usually mean that everyone gets a chance to join in and play a contributing role in groups and activities.
Questions to Ask When Considering a Smaller School
Deciding on a school that fits your family’s needs is an important one. Here are some questions to think about when you’re investigating smaller schools.
- Attention – Does your child get enough attention from teachers and staff for effective learning?
- Variety and Depth – Does your child’s school offer as much variety as your child wants? Does it offer as much depth? Smaller schools may not be able to offer as wide a variety but may be better able to provide opportunities to delve more deeply into topics of interest.
- The pace of Learning – Does your child find the pace of learning to be too fast or slow? Smaller schools are better equipped to adjust the pace of classroom learning with smaller class sizes. At The Tenney School, our specialty is adjusting the pace of learning to match each student’s individual needs while ensuring they are learning necessary material.
- Getting Lost – Does your child tend to be overlooked and fall through the cracks in a large school? That’s a sure sign that a smaller school may be a great fit.
Conclusion
All children have unique learning styles, so finding the school environment that suits them best is key to their success. If you think a smaller school may be a good fit for your child, contact us today to see how the Power of One at The Tenney School can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
One-to-one learning is an educational approach where a student receives personalized instruction from a teacher in a one-on-one setting. This method allows for individualized attention, tailored lesson plans, and pacing that matches the student’s unique needs and learning style. It’s particularly beneficial for students who thrive with focused support, whether they’re advanced learners or need additional help in certain areas. At The Tenney School, one-to-one learning is at the core of our philosophy, ensuring each student can maximize their academic potential in a supportive, customized environment.
The Tenney School offers individualized, one-to-one instruction for students in grades 5 through 12. Our curriculum is designed to meet the unique academic needs of each student, whether they are in middle school or high school. We focus on preparing students for success in their current grade level while also setting them up for future achievements in college and beyond. Our small class sizes and personalized learning approach ensure that students in every grade receive the attention and resources they need to excel academically.
The Tenney School has maintained accreditation through Cognia (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) since 1979. The accreditation process is repeated every five-to-six years. The last School Accreditation Engagement Review of The Tenney School was successfull completed in February 2022.
The Tenney School earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 318.5 from Cognia on the last review. This IEQ is well above the average school IEQ (278.34 – 283.33).
