Benefits of a Small School Education
The St. Martin’s community is a special and welcoming place where we inspire students to learn and grow throughout their time with us. Our ability to provide a well-rounded education, offer personalized teaching, and foster meaningful relationships between teachers and students is rooted in the small, connected community we share here at St. Martin’s. Research consistently shows that small schools and small class sizes benefit students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, helping them develop confidence, compassion, and character as they move through life.
Academic Advantages
One of the most frequently cited benefits of a small school is the academic growth that comes from smaller class sizes. Studies suggest that as class size falls below 15 students, learning increases progressively (Mathis, 2016). The American Federation of Teachers has done research on how class sizes impact education and found that Middle School class sizes between 15 and 19 students often present the most significant academic gains (American Federation of Teachers, 2008). In smaller settings, teachers are empowered to provide more individualized instruction, adapt to different learning styles, and give students the attention they need to succeed. These close-knit classrooms also nurture respect between teachers and students, creating an environment where children feel comfortable taking academic risks. From Preschool to Middle School at St. Martin’s, every class size is less than 20 students, providing our children with an environment that fosters confidence and individualization throughout every grade.
Social and Emotional Growth
The benefits of small schools extend well beyond academics. Small schools provide an atmosphere where students feel known, valued, and supported. Research shows that students in small schools tend to have stronger attitudes toward learning, a greater sense of belonging, and higher-quality interpersonal relationships (Travers & Trawick-Smith, 2024). Teachers and administrators also report a more positive school culture, with fewer behavioral concerns and stronger community connections. These factors combine to create a safe, supportive environment where students can grow in confidence and character.
Unique Opportunities at St. Martin’s
Due to our smaller environment, St. Martin’s is also able to offer students a wide variety of unique learning opportunities. Our strong community partnerships provide service-learning experiences that help students see themselves as leaders and contributors to the wider world. Through extracurricular opportunities and hands-on experiential learning both in and out of the classroom, our students are encouraged to explore their interests and passions.
Throughout the year, our students participate in a variety of service learning opportunities, such as Christmas Mitten Tree clothing drives, Lighthouse Shelter food collections, and Backpack Buddies, as well as on-campus learning experiences that go beyond a standardized curriculum. Our community provides students with opportunities and experiences that are unique to our school.
For example, our 5th graders take part in an Oyster Recovery Service Learning project, caring for oysters that help restore the Chesapeake Bay. Through this experience, students learn the value of service, environmental stewardship, and how oysters improve water quality and protect marine ecosystems. All of our students explore hands-on projects that benefit the greater community and inspire creativity.
Our Lower School students also participate in service learning projects that focus heavily on the awareness and prevention of hunger. This is a global issue that we believe is important for our students to learn about, understand its impact, and how they can work toward solutions. Our 3rd and 4th graders participate in the Backpack Buddies program, as mentioned above, as well as First Fruit Farms, dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious food for the hungry through volunteer service and community partnerships. These opportunities help shape our Mustangs into compassionate citizens who understand the importance of serving something greater than themselves.
Beyond service learning opportunities and community partnerships, our small community also allows students to feel comfortable and confident in and out of the classroom. Many of our students truly thrive in the smaller St. Martin’s environment, especially those who have joined us from a larger school. One of our most recent graduates thrived academically, socially, and emotionally within our St. Martin’s community and grew tremendously throughout their time here from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Starting out in Kindergarten, this student was very shy and reserved, eventually growing into a confident student that achieved academic success and leadership within their 8th grade class. Our ability to provide a small school education allows students to truly be known and valued in our community, and inspire confidence, compassion, and character within the whole student.
Conclusion
At St. Martin’s, the benefits of a small school environment can be seen in every classroom, every relationship, and every opportunity we provide. We are proud to nurture a community where students thrive academically, socially, and personally. By combining the strengths of a small, supportive school with a forward-looking curriculum, we prepare our students not just for the next step in their education, but for a lifetime of learning and leadership.
Works Cited
Cotton, K. (1996, December). Affective and social benefits of small-scale schooling (ERIC Digest No. ED401088). ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED401088.pdf
Mathis, W. J. (2016, June). The effectiveness of class size reduction (Research-Based Options for Education Policymaking No. RBOPM-9). National Education Policy Center, University of Colorado Boulder. https://nepc.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/publications/Mathis%20RBOPM-9%20Class%20Size.pdf Travers, J., & Trawick-Smith, J. (2024, February 25). The Strategic Small School: Supporting Quality and Sustainability in Schools of Every Size. Education Resource Strategies. Retrieved September 5, 2025, from https://www.erstrategies.org/news/strategic-small-school/