Resources

With college seen as a minimum requirement for a growing number of living-wage jobs, the economic future is not looking bright for the large number of U.S. students who aren’t even graduating from high school. Some are wondering whether shrinking the size of America’s high schools can help, not just to keep more students in school, but, equally important, to prepare greater numbers for college.

At the request of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed $800 million to fund 2,000 small schools nationwide, WestEd took a look at five such schools. What is happening at these select schools? Who are they educating? How are the students doing? This report details preliminary findings and recommendations for further study.

Download the Executive Summary of Rethinking High School: Five Profiles of Innovative Models for Student Success.

This is one of several reports in a series focusing on secondary reform and redesign. Other Rethinking High School reports include:

• Rethinking High School: An Introduction to New York City’s Experience
• Rethinking High School: Inaugural Graduations at New York City’s New High Schools
• Rethinking High School: Preparing Students for Success in College, Career, and Life
• Rethinking High School: Supporting All Students to be College Ready in Math