Small Schools: Types of Small Schools

Small schools fall into two categories: Autonomous Small Schools and Schools-Within-Schools. In the Chicago Public Schools, there are autonomous small schools and schools-within-schools at both the Elementary and High School level. Both types of small schools have a core group of self-selected teachers and students interested in the same focus who work together over a period of at least two years. All small schools (except for small charter schools) operate within the same CPS funding formulas and Chicago Teachers Union agreements as other Chicago Public Schools.

Autonomous Small Schools

An autonomous small school, like other Chicago Public Schools, has its own unit number, administration, faculty, students, Local School Council, budget, and schedule. As well, most autonomous small schools have their own principal. Sometimes, an autonomous small school shares a building with one or more other schools (to view our latest publication "Schools Sharing Buildings: A Toolkit" click here). In this case, each school is run completely independently, but has the benefit of sharing common spaces such as the athletic facilities and cafeteria. In addition, when a school building houses more than one small school, the number of school choices for students and parents in the neighborhood is increased. There are two types of autonomous small schools: autonomous neighborhood small schools and autonomous charter small schools.

Autonomous Neighborhood Small Schools

Autonomous neighborhood small schools are autonomous small schools that enroll students from the local attendance area. As with other small schools, autonomous neighborhood small schools have small numbers of students and specifically design their programs to maximize the benefits of a small faculty and student body. Each autonomous neighborhood small school has its own unit number, administration, faculty, students, Local School Council, budget, and schedule. Most autonomous neighborhood small schools do not require admissions tests for students.

In a few cases, small schools housed in one building utilize a director for each small school and one building principal, rather than a principal for each small school. In these cases, they are referred to as multiplex schools, such as the three small schools housed at the Cregier Multiplex. Each school in a multiplex has its own unit number, lead teacher or teacher director, governing body (Local School Council or advisory board), budget and schedule. Each is recognized as a separate school by the Chicago Board of Education. The principal in a multiplex manages building-wide issues and shared space, as well as approves teacher evaluations and personnel decisions made by each of the small schools.

Autonomous Charter Small Schools

Charter Small Schools are also autonomous small schools. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from the Board of Education, usually founded by community organizations, universities, foundations and/or teachers. Charter small schools are open to all students in Chicago, enrolling students from across the city rather than just the local neighborhood, and are free of tuition. The Chicago Public Schools funds charter schools, and the schools are accountable to CPS for student achievement through their charter contract. Each charter school is operated by its own individual board. Charter schools have control over budgets, school calendars, hiring and firing, and curriculum. Many charter schools choose to use longer school days and academic years than traditional public schools. For more information, go to Chicago Public Schools Office of Charter Schools website or visit the Leadership for Quality Education website.

Schools-Within-a-School

A school-within-a-school (SWS) is a small school that shares a unit number and principal with other SWSs or academic programs in the same building. Schools-within-schools have self-selected faculty and students who are identified as a part of the small school and organized around the focus of the school. Teachers (and principals and partners) usually organize small schools within a large school (more than 1000 students) in order to provide students and parents a consistent educational approach across the years or subject areas and a reduced feeling of anonymity within the large setting. When several SWSs exist in a large school, they provide parents, students and teachers with several choices of smaller communities within the larger school, each with a distinct focus, allowing for a good match to be made.

SWSs typically control their curriculum, interactions with parents, and partnerships with outside organizations. Autonomy with respect to budget, schedule and personnel varies depending on the structure of the SWS's relationship with the building principal and Local School Council. Schools-within-schools are sometimes referred to as smaller learning communities (SLCs), institutes or academies.

By The Numbers

Total Small Schools in the Chicago Public Schools: 90

Autonomous Small Schools: 36
Schools-within-schools: 54

Autonomous Elementary Schools: 15
Autonomous High Schools: 21

Elementary Schools-within-schools: 18
High School Schools-within-schools: 36

Elementary Small Schools (both types): 33
High School Small Schools (both types): 57

For detailed information on each small school, click here to visit our Small Schools Directory.