I went to high school at a school that houses a little over 70 students. We were a little isolated from society, but that didn't deter us from still having a good time. Sure, the opportunities I had at this school might not have been as great for me compared to larger schools, but I wouldn't want to change where I went. Why? Here's a list of why I believe small schools are the best.
1. You see the same people every day.
Walking down the hallway seems like a yearbook you've studied extensively: you see your best friend who you love to death, but you also see people you cannot stand. Running into people you know is inevitable because you literally know everyone.
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2. Your idea of a "good time Friday night" is watching the Friday sports games.
Sports are the backbone of small schools, and if you don't attend the games religiously, you become an outcast. Once basketball season is over, your Friday's become dull and gray as you have nothing to do.
3. You have to check your family tree before asking a date to the prom.
If you didn't have at least two cousins in the same class, you didn't go to a small school. Asking your cousin to the prom becomes equivalent to asking your sibling, in which case, people start staring. Finding a date becomes more of a chore than anything.
4. Somehow your parents know your day better than you did.
The inevitable question at the dinner table, "So, how was your day?" becomes irrelevant because by the time you get home, your mom or dad (usually the former) starts talking about how she heard what you did in school.
5. You're on a first name basis with the cooks.
Small schools usually have the best lunches. Why? Everything is made homemade with love and care. Also, the cooks know who goes back for seconds. They look at you with eyes that say, "We know you want a second crispito, we know."
6. You can't wait to graduate and leave home.
Every small school student's dream is to walk across that stage, shake the principal's hand, and never look back. We have big dreams in our heads of greater days to come.
7. Everybody knows the drama.
You see everybody everyday, you also hear everybody talking everyday. All of your lockers are split up according to class, so you're bound to hear something of interest at some point of the day. We had five minutes for passing period and the school was not that large. Four of those minutes were spent talking and listening to everybody. Then lunch comes around and now is your chance to catch up on what's the latest buzz.
8. Even the teachers know the drama.
Your school is so small, even the teachers are listening to all of the students gossiping at the lockers during passing period. John and Mary broke up? They probably heard it first period and you just found out at lunch.
9. Your school bothers to read you the announcements every morning.
Your school is small enough, the administration will read you all of the announcements, what's for lunch, and all of the personal achievements of everybody from their extracurriculars. And it will take all of 3 minutes. Speaking of extracurriclars...
10. Everybody does everything.
Yup. You're school is so small, you have the same students doing all of the same clubs and sports. The same student is the star of the football team. And basketball. And track. Then there's the same student 5 students on Student Council, putting on every dance for your school, organizing Spirit Week and collecting non-perishables for the local food pantry. THEN there's the 1 student who does cross country, basketball, track, and Student Council all the while planning dances, organizing Spirit Weeks, and collecting non-perishables for the local food pantry. Everybody does everything.
11. The nearest school is miles away.
Our schools are sometimes so isolated that the nearest school from us is at least 20 miles away, something much different than in the city.
My life at a small school was just the way I wanted it to be. Looking back, I wouldn't wish it to be any different. I'm proud of my roots, of where I grew up, of the school that helped shaped me into the person I am today. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
Long live these small towns.
