Small Schools of Choice (SSCs)

Small Schools of Choice (SSCs) are small, academically nonselective high schools created in New York City between fall 2002 and fall 2008 to serve students in disadvantaged communities, mainly in neighborhoods where large, failing high schools had been closed. Over 123 SSCs were created to provide realistic choices for students with widely varying academic backgrounds. SSCs serve grades 9-12, with most schools enrolling around 400 students total. Most SSCs oriented their missions and curricula toward specific academic, artistic, social justice, or professional themes. Almost all were founded in partnership with local nonprofit organizations or private employers and received additional philanthropic funds during their first four to five years. SSCs were started with support from intermediary school partners such as New Visions for Public Schools, the Institute for Student Achievement, or the Urban Assembly. The schools emphasize three core principles: academic rigor, relevance through themed curricula and real-world learning opportunities, and personalized relationships between teachers and students enabled by small school size.