Smaller, Safer, Saner Successful Schools

The federally-funded report shows how urban, suburban and rural communities have modified existing buildings or constructed new elementary, middle and high school public buildings to help increase student achievement and safety. The report was written by Dr. Joe Nathan, who directs the Center for School Change, and Karen Febey, a Humphrey Institute graduate student. The report offers twenty-two case studies illustrated by dozens of color pictures, and a summary of research showing how shared facilities and small schools have increased achievement and safety, while developing stronger community support and involvement in the schools. The case studies describe how schools have used small size or shared facilities (or both) to dramatically improve achievement, attendance and behavior.