When it comes to schools, there is
ample evidence that “smaller is
better”. But smallness is not a virtue
unto itself. It is a means to an end,
and the end is to have each student
feel that he or she is part of an
intimate community where (to
borrow a line from the popular TV
show “Cheers”,) “everybody knows
your name”. That means it is not
enough to simply break up a large
school into “houses” or “pods” for
the purpose of creating smallness.
Students need to identify clearly with
their smaller community and feel a
sense of belonging, common purpose
and loyalty to the smaller unit.