Published the week of 9/26/04

A bright young man gives up a four-year scholarship to an exclusive private school, to attend a suburban high school. Rural and suburban educators from all over the nation are visiting that high school, and another one in the same district. What's going on?

West Clermont, a suburban district near Cincinnati, has decided that being very good is not enough. So they have converted their two large high schools into 10 small schools of choice. So far, the results are encouraging.

Both Amelia and Glen Este High Schools are above average. Their facilities, graduation rates and average college entrance tests are far better than those in Cincinnati, just a few miles away.

But Mike Ward, the West Clermont superintendent, and Jim Rude, president of the local teachers' union, became convinced that the district needed to pay attention to the large and growing amount of research about the value of small schools.

Like many suburbs, the district had large high schools, enrolling between 1200 and 1800 students. It couldn't afford to build new small schools. So three years ago the district began converting large buildings into small schools.

Each building still has sports teams; that has not changed. But as you walk the halls of each building, signs indicate which small school you are in.

One is International Baccalaureate. Others include a School for Scientific Studies and one focusing on Performing Arts. Each offers a complete curriculum, although students are allowed to take Advanced Placement courses offered in a different small school. (For a complete list of the small schools, plus additional information, go to  www.westcler.k12.oh.us/index.php/html/about/about_hs_redesign.html)

Last week, I talked with the young man who had passed on the private high school scholarship. "The IB school seemed to offer more challenge," he explained. "So far, I'm pleased with my decision."

Other young people praised the personal attention they are getting. Some, who had older brothers and sisters who graduated when the schools offered the traditional program, explained that they think teaching has become "more hands-on, and more individualized."

The district started this change without any outside grants. But for the last three years, the Center for School Change, where I work, has administered a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for this district.

It is too soon to make definitive conclusions. But attendance has improved, as have the percentage of students moving from the 9th to 10th grade (even many suburban schools, some students have trouble adjusting from middle or junior high school, and leave after, or during 9th grade).

Mike Ward, the superintendent who started this change, retired this summer. Gary Brooks, who has lived in the district for many years, and whose children graduated from a traditional WC high school, is the new superintendent. Last week he explained, "I'm a big fan of the small schools approach. It's helping our students. I'd urge every high school to consider this approach." I agree.