Going To A Small School Not As Bad As Story Said

I was pleased to see your recent article on big schools vs. small schools. I personally believe that smaller schools in rural areas rarely receive the credit they deserve, and I was hoping your article would present both sides. After all, it was a pro and con article.

However, I found what I felt to be a very biased and one-sided report. The pros were about big schools, the cons were about small schools.

I go to Northport High School, which has an enrollment of 97. This year’s graduating class will have 17 people. And yes, my school does reflect much of what was described in your opening paragraphs, only more apparent. Lockers swing open, there are no locks whatsoever, and books and bags lay scattered across the hall. Not that people don’t worry about their stuff being stolen. I’m not going to lie, everything is not perfect, there still is thievery. It just isn’t an everyday occurrence.

Another issue you raised was diversity. How dare you say that small schools lack the diversity of larger ones. If anything I would say the opposite is true.

Of course one may see the same people everyday, but that does not, under any circumstances, mean we are all alike.

In larger schools you wrote that one may be able to see and meet new people every day. I question how many of you actually do this. Admit it, probably a rare few.

My experience with people coming from large schools is that they have their group of friends from which they dare not deviate. Most hide their true identities for fear of not being accepted. I find that in hiding your true self, diversity is in no way created. Rather, large schools are a breeding ground for uniformity. Yet, when new students come to Northport, one of the most frequent comments is that they are happy to be themselves and not have to put on an act. Here they are accepted for who they are.

Furthermore, I would like to tell you what I think about your bash on disadvantaged schools.

OK, so Northport is poor. Our ASB was lucky this year to not start in the red. Most of our books are old, and our library shouldn’t be allowed to call itself one. We live off of grants, and we fund-raise like crazy.

This list goes on, but the point I’m trying to make is that even though we may be disadvantaged, that doesn’t translate into loss of chances. All the students at Northport have the opportunity to succeed. Our teachers here are amazing. Since they sometimes lack the materials or resources they need, they use their minds creatively to teach classes that are the same or better than the ones at any other, larger, richer school. Often, the diversity pushes them to be better teachers. They are to be commended on their efforts.

I admit we are, at times, limited in what classes are offered, but there are ways to buck the system. We offer Running Start Telecourses and a College Prep English course that is linked to City University. These classes enable students who have passed a qualifying test to receive simultaneous high school and college credit.

That’s not all. As far as activities go, our record can speak for itself. Last year our volleyball team made it to district competition, and this year they are in third place. Two years ago baseball went to state, and last year the girls basketball and softball teams earned their way to compete at the state tournament. Our Odyssey of the Mind teams have one of the most notorious and feared reputations in competition. Our OM Team heads to state almost annually and frequently they go on to the world competition. The French and Spanish Clubs traveled to Europe for a month last summer on money they raised. This list continues, showing that every student at Northport has the chance to be part of a team, club or whatever as long as they have the desire.

Besides, what good is having an increase in different kinds of clubs and sports if only a privileged few are allowed to participate? At a small school anyone who wishes to may participate, not just the elite few. And this means a whole lot more to the average student.

The point I hope to have made is that small schools aren’t just about what you printed, they are a whole lot more. What they lack in one area, they make up for in several others. Please do not judge them on population and appearance. Things aren’t always what they seem to be.