The Goldilocks Effect: Choosing the Right Sized School
February 27th, 2024
We know that children are unique and have particular needs, and one of their most important needs is to be truly comfortable and connected in their school setting. One key factor that greatly aids in this comfort and connection is school size.
If a school is too small, children will not have the social and educational stimulation they need to grow and develop. And if a school is too large, children may feel overwhelmed by the sheer size and scale of their school. Neither of these outcomes is desirable.
Choosing a school that is the right size for children is paramount to their healthy development. We believe the size of Charlotte Prep is just right – not too small or too large. Schools between 350 and 450 students afford an intimate and warm scale. Students are truly known and loved. They feel connected to their classmates and students in other grades, which makes them an integral part of the larger school community.
These connections give students the foundation they need to thrive as students and people, which is one reason why our graduates do so well when they leave Prep and go to high school. We have been surveying parents of 9th graders for the past two years, and 95% of parents believe their children were extremely or very well prepared for high school. This, combined with the fact that since 2015, 94% of our graduates have received admission to one or both of their top two high school choices, points to the effectiveness of our PreK-8 model and the size of our school.
One of the most important decisions we made during the last strategic planning process was to remain committed to the size of our school. Simply put, we know the size and scale of our school works and is best for the children we serve.
More News from Charlotte Prep
- Apr11Charlotte Prep Presents Willy Wonka Jr.
Our annual 3rd-8th grade musical is a true display of the talent and hard work of our students and they are proud to present Willy Wonka Junior this year.
See Details - Mar28Prep Scholar Awarded at State Science Fair
We are thrilled to announce that a Prep 8th grader was awarded at the state-level Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday in Raleigh.
See Details - Mar20The Power of Middle School at Prep
The middle school experience in a PreK-8 school like ours provides students with long-lasting positive outcomes. They become more confident and capable students and people, and we know from experience that Prep graduates thrive in high school and beyond.
See Details - Feb29Model UN Club Awarded at Conference
Our middle school Model UN club recently participated in CHARMUN, a long-standing annual introductory Model UN conference for local independent school teams.
See Details