Students from low incomes families and students of color in particular have considerably more positive attitudes about school and learning in small schools. Students in small schools are much more likely to participate in extracurricular activities, which boost confidence levels. In a large high school, only a relatively few students get to take part. Students in small schools are involved in a greater variety of activities, and they derive more satisfaction from their participation than do students in large schools. In small schools there were few students who did not participate in at least one activity.
Personalized schools are safer, and they foster resiliency and competence in children and youths.
Research shows that students in small schools have lower levels of violent behavior. Many children who live in high risk environments do not develop problems in their school achievement or behavior when they attend personalized, small schools. Personalized schools also promote resiliency by setting high expectations for each child and by providing opportunities for meaningful participation to each and every child. Parents are more involved in the school when their child or teen attends a personalized school, and they have greater confidence in the school. An important advantage for smaller schools was the ability of parents to become involved in a significant way.