Public High Schools - What's the Ideal Size?

I've been thinking about my options for high school next year, and I was wondering what's the most efficient size for a public high school, in terms of student population. I mean, which size ensures the best teacher-student ratio, enough resources, and still has a sense of community?

There isn't really a one-size-fits-all answer to your question because the "ideal" size of a public high school can vary greatly depending on other factors. That being said, let's break down the potential pros and cons of larger and smaller schools to give you a better idea of what you might be looking for.

If we're talking about bigger public high schools, you have the potential to benefit from a wider variety of resources. Larger schools are often able to offer more options in terms of courses, extracurricular activities, and elective classes, such as AP or honors classes. This can be especially helpful if you have specific academic interests or are trying to develop a "spike" in a particular field. Larger schools can also be beneficial because they often have larger budgets, meaning that facilities and resources like laboratories, sports facilities, or libraries might be better.

However, one drawback of larger schools is that they can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Class sizes may be bigger, and students may not feel as intimately connected with the faculty or administration, which can impact the teacher-student ratio you mentioned - although this can depend on the school's policy and staff allotment.

Smaller schools, on the other hand, often have a more intimate environment and a stronger sense of community. The smaller student population can lend itself to smaller class sizes, which may allow for more individual attention from teachers, and more opportunities to stand out and lead in a variety of settings - in classroom discussions, clubs, sports, etc. Teachers might also have more time to provide individual students with more guidance and support.

However, smaller schools might not be able to offer as wide a range of courses or extracurricular activities, and resources might be more limited compared to larger schools. Additionally, smaller schools might not be as diverse in their student populations, which can limit exposure to a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

At the end of the day, the best size is entirely dependent on your individual needs and preferences. I suggest considering what aspects of a high school are most important to you - academics, extracurriculars, class size, teacher-student ratio, community, etc. - and look for schools that best satisfy those criteria.