It’s Too Big

A Stanford University study found that schools enrolling fewer than 400 students have higher student achievement scores and higher teacher morale.

Other studies have found that smaller schools result in higher rates of parental participation, lower rates of absenteeism and problem incidents, and better capacity for staff to quickly identify and solve problems. Teachers in small schools have a stronger sense of connection to all students in the school (not just the students in their own class), than teachers in large schools. Children in small schools have a greater sense of security, belonging and continuity.

For students with learning disabilities, just a 10-student increase in grade size (not class size!) is found to decrease their math and reading achievement.

The 124,000 square foot building will be three stories, with six classrooms per grade. Our enrollment has declined by 19% since 2009, and Winthop currently has two large empty classrooms. With enrollment projected to decrease even further building a structure of this size is unneccesary.

The proposed 775-student school will be the largest Pk-6 elementary school in Essex County, and larger than 98% of elementary schools in Massachusetts.

Each blue dot represents an Essex County school’s PK-6 elementary school population.

It’s TOO Big