This Digest presents a brief overview of research literature on the effectiveness of small schools. First, because it attempts coverage of recent discussion of small schools, it cites contemporary news analysis as well as more formal research. Such quantitative studies have built an impressive case for smallness. In general, those who emphasize the importance of the school as a community tend to set enrollment limits lower than do those who emphasize academic effectiveness, at least as measured by test scores. A recent study of New York's famed District 4 credited the small schools there with having raised achievement levels throughout, not just in the small schools.
Lists differ, though common themes are clearly discernible.