The Importance of Low Student-to-Teacher Ratios

Classroom Sizes | Innovation Academy Las Vegas Elementary

“The sky is the limit!” This is a beloved phrase parents and teachers use to inspire children. It encourages lofty goals, as well as gaining the skills needed to achieve them. However, apply the words “the sky is the limit” to classroom sizes. Suddenly, the phrase is no longer inspiring. In fact, it can be downright discouraging.

Las Vegas elementary school teachers and others recently learned of a change in federal fund distribution. This change could cost dozens of schools millions of dollars. One of the many down sides to this funding shift is the chance that class sizes could grow. There is no official cap on the number of students allowed per classroom in Las Vegas. As a result, many classrooms are already packed. In some schools, the fire code is the only limiting factor. Therefore, a single teacher in a typical school may be responsible for 30 to 40 students at once.

Fortunately, Innovation Academy Las Vegas is not a typical school.

There is no official cap on the number of students allowed per classroom in Las Vegas. As a result, many classrooms are already packed. IA maintains a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Attention, Care, and Understanding

Our team regularly finds that interested parents are shocked to learn the Innovation Academy Las Vegas student-to-teacher ratio. It is 10 to 1. IA prioritizes healthy classroom sizes. We believe that fewer students makes for an ideal learning environment, since each child receives more focused attention. This is not based just on observation, but also on solid evidence.

The National Council of Teachers of English reports that research supports the idea that smaller class sizes are better. This is especially true in elementary school. For example, the group states that children in smaller classes can be ahead of their more crowded peers. In terms of content knowledge, the difference can be as much as two months. In addition, conversation, participation, and interaction improve as class sizes shrink. Lower student-to-teacher ratios also lead to better relationships between teachers and students. In turn, this can lower behavior problems and disruptions. Teachers of smaller classrooms spend less time on discipline and classroom management. This leaves more time for building a meaningful relationship with each student, as well as actual teaching.

Classroom Sizes: More Benefits of Smaller Classes

Educators are keen to point out the benefits of low student-to-teacher ratios in the hopes of improving classrooms across the board. Another positive aspect of small classroom sizes is more opportunities for one-on-one time with students. A teacher’s devoted attention can ensure learning challenges are identified early. This means earlier implementation of solutions to help a child with long-term strategies for success.

Beyond the teacher, student-to-student relationships flourish in tight-knit settings. Instead of being one body in a vast crowd, each student in a small classroom feels invested and part of the group. Because of this, the students are more likely to function as a supportive team. A unified classroom collaborates more and is consequently less disruptive. More order reduces stress on the teacher and students alike. This allows for focused progress and an environment devoted not just to learning, but to excelling.

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