Small Schools of Choice (SSCs)
About the Intervention
Small Schools of Choice (SSCs) are small, academically nonselective public high schools serving grades 9-12 in New York City, designed to serve disadvantaged students. SSCs serve approximately 100 students per grade and were created between 2002-2008 to replace large, underperforming neighborhood high schools. The schools emphasize personalized learning environments through structures like reduced teacher load, common planning time, and Advisory programs to ensure strong relationships between students and teachers. SSCs were established through a competitive proposal process requiring planning teams to develop educational philosophies around academic rigor, personalization, and community partnerships. Each school received start-up funding and support from intermediary organizations, along with policy protections during their initial years including opening with only ninth grade and gradually phasing in additional grades. Schools benefited from new principals and teachers, partnerships with intermediary organizations with small school expertise, and special training and hiring flexibility through amendments to collective bargaining agreements.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect on ninth-grade on-track indicator
Positive effect on earning 10 or more credits in first year
Positive effect on reducing failure of more than one core subject
Positive effect on total credits earned toward graduation in first year
Positive effect on regular attendance in first year
Positive effect on earning 20 or more credits in second year
Positive effect on total credits earned in second year
Positive effect on overall attendance rate in second year
Positive effect on regular attendance in second year
Positive effect on earning 30 or more credits in third year
Positive effect on total credits earned in third year
Positive effect on total Regents exams passed in third year
Positive effect on overall attendance rate in third year
Positive effect on regular attendance in third year
Positive effect on high school graduation
Positive effect on English Regents exam score of 75 or above
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Social-Emotional Learning, Drop-Outs, Attendance, Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
General Education, Special Education ServicesDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsSource
Levy Thompson, S., S. Bloom, H. & Unterman, R. (2010). Transforming the High School Experience: How New York City's New Small Schools Are Boosting Student Achievement and Graduation Rates (ED511106). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED511106.pdf.
Study Demographics
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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