The school mission matters and teachers use it. Faculty are regularly consulted on school decisions. Small school staff report high levels of professional collaboration. Small school staff can build cohesion with or without strong parent involvement and support. A substantial amount of autonomy in regard to curriculum, budget, personnel and other organizational measures.
Schools consistently report high levels of autonomy on curricular issues.
Small school staff have moderate autonomy over personnel decisions. Few small schools have substantial budgetary autonomy. Small school staff report specific elements of autonomy, but seldom report overall autonomy. Teacher-principal relationships, not structure, most influence staff perceptions of autonomy. A curricular focus that provides a continuous curriculum across a range of grants.