A new trend is sweeping through the nation?s high schools. School districts are rethinking the traditional school model, many developing Small Learning Communities (SLC) to better reach their students.

What is a Small Learning Community
Small Learning Communities are called by a variety of a name, like school within a school, academic teaming, career academies and houses. Despite the variety of titles, the basic purpose of all of the programs is very similar ? to create a close-knit, small learning environment within a large school. These programs give each student an adult leader, someone at the school who knows the student well and can act as a trusted advisor.

Why do we need Small Learning Communities
The sudden growth in these learning communities comes from the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed into law by President Bush in January 2002. This law ensures that, through grants, smaller learning communities develop and continue to assist large high schools.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 70 percent of American high school students go to schools with 1,000 or more students enrolled. It is easy for a teen, as only one in a class of 250 or more, to get lost in the shuffle of students. Overcrowding keeps teachers from getting to know many of the students on a personal level, and keeps many students out of classes or activities that would be beneficial for their development.

Benefits of Small Learning Community
In effort to combat drop-outs, and teen alcohol and drug use, many schools have turned to the SLC option. These programs have shown a variety of benefits for the students involved. Attendance has improved, the amount of disciplinary actions had decreased and student satisfaction and school loyalty have grown. SLC also keep new students from feeling overwhelmed and students overall have the ability to develop closer relationships with their peers and instructors.