Small School vs Big School: Does Class Size Matter?
There are pros and cons with both small and large schools. Each has its benefits, however two things that are important in your child’s education but not necessarily available regardless of school size, is the necessary connection and empathy to ensure they feel valued, safe and confident.
What is considered a “small school”?
In Australia, education authorities generally consider a primary school to be small if it has less than 300 students.
A high school is considered small if it has fewer than 700 students. In Queensland the numbers are slightly less than the national average. A small school in Queensland enrolls up to 200 students in primary, 500 students in high school and up to 700 in combined primary and high schools. However, in rural and regional areas, ‘small’ schools frequently refer to campuses with under 100 students, and some tiny, isolated communities have fewer than 20 or even just a handful of pupils.
What is considered a “big school”?
A big primary school is generally considered anything above 300 students, whereas a large high school has enrolments of over 500 students, and a combined primary and secondary campus is
big if there’s more than 700 students. However, in the modern era there are now super-sized schools with in excess of 2,000 enrolments.
The argument for smaller schools
One of the greatest advantages of a small school is the personalised attention. If the school has a low student-to-teacher ratio, it allows staff to get to know each student individually and respond promptly to academic or emotional needs. It also builds stronger connections between teachers and pupils via more frequent contact. The low student-to-teacher ratio also enables educators to spend less time on crowd control and more time deeply engaging with students, allowing for customized pacing and immediate feedback.
Smaller schools also foster greater involvement from students and pupils are more likely to take on leadership roles and participate in clubs or sports as there are more opportunities to do so without the heavy competition. This helps introverted or quieter students to be a big fish in a small pond.
Perhaps the most important benefit of a small school is that it creates a safe environment with a strong community. Research has shown that when small schools are compared to large ones, the smaller cohort has fewer disciplinary problems, as the close-knit community naturally fosters accountability and support. Coupled with this, is the fact that it also makes it easier for parents to stay involved and collaborate with staff. Plus, smaller campuses are easier to monitor, generally resulting in fewer distractions, a calmer atmosphere and a stronger overall sense of belonging for students and staff alike.
The argument for larger schools
The benefits afforded by large schools includes access to more resources and in-school options, dedicated support staff, a larger cohort that broadens social connections and more extracurriculars.
Due to having more staff, large schools can typically offer students a broader range of subjects and specialised electives that smaller schools are unable to sustain. Larger schools also have better access to bulk resourcing through the department of education, as well as often being able to larger teams of learning support staff and year coordinators.
Another benefit that large schools offer is an increased amount of extracurricular activities. Large student populations enable the school to facilitate comprehensive programs for music,
arts and sport. Large schools will also sometimes have premium sporting facilities and other amenities to facilitate more options for sport and education.
Does school size affect educational outcomes?
Put simply, yes, school and class size significantly impact education outcomes.
Research has shown that smaller settings generally improve academic achievement, behaviour, and social-emotional growth. While total school enrolment affects resource access, the actual number of students in a classroom has a more direct impact on student achievement.
Class Size vs School Size
Research indicates that smaller classes (especially in early grades) lead to higher test scores, better literacy, and enhanced mathematical reasoning. Multiple studies have shown that reducing class sizes significantly improves test scores and engagement, especially for students from disadvantaged or low socioeconomic backgrounds. This is because teachers in smaller classes can offer more individualized feedback, identify learning problems early, and manage classroom behaviour more effectively.
While large schools typically offer more course variety, extracurricular options, and advanced resources, smaller schools often foster a stronger sense of community, greater student engagement, and improved safety. Research indicates that while ‘school size’ may not impact learning outcomes at the start of a child's school education, by the fourth grade, students in oversized schools can experience negative academic effects.