Smaller Church School- Article

Bigger, Not Better


Westerners, particularly Americans, often feel that bigger is better. Bigger cities, bigger wardrobes, bigger fast-food meals. Even those of us in the church often fall for this fallacy. We feel we need large numbers of converts and newcomers, larger parishes, and church schools which are bursting at the seams. This often seems to us to spell “success.” In many ways however, particularly in terms of the church school, bigger is not always better.

The reality of the American Church is that it is spread over thousands of square miles, with parishes often separated from each other by hundreds of miles. Most of our parishes and church schools are small, and we need to start looking for the positive aspects of this situation, of which there are many.

First of all, in a smaller parish, church school students get to be more integrated into parish life. Often their teachers may be the same people who are the lay leaders: parish council members, choir singers and readers. There just aren’t enough people for each to take on only one job. A larger percentage of the parish is involved in church school than in a bigger parish, and thus the people of the parish feel they have more invested personally, and are much more aware of what goes on in the church school, as well as having heightened interest. Because students are fewer, older parishioners may even have to step in and interact with the children, playing parts in plays or pageants, for example, which proves fun for all ages, and helps bond the generations together.

Secondly, as any teacher can tell you, small classes have great interpersonal advantages. The teacher develops a closer relationship with the students. She (or he) gets to know not only the children well, but their families as well. In addition, it is far easier to teach and give attention to four or five than it is to thirty. As well, it is far easier to be spontaneous: to be free to change the lesson around if it seems appropriate. The teacher does not need to worry about deviating from what another teacher of that grade is teaching. Lastly, but not unimportantly, discipline issues are usually non-existent or at least much less prevalent in the smaller environment. It is easier to be pro-active, and to be on top of potential problems. When the teacher knows the parents well, this usually eliminates many problems too, as the children soon discover that news of misbehavior (or successes!) will quickly reach their parents.

Having a smaller church school can actually provide a more enriching experience for the students. If the teacher wants to show her students the difference between Orthodox worship and Presbyterian worship for example, she can take her students to a Presbyterian church in her car or van to see for themselves! No complicated and costly scheduling and bus rentals. Transportation for field trips is a lot easier, and admission fees to be paid by the church school are less. The smaller enrollment also makes it easier to tailor-make outside experiences; places and experiences which are closed to large groups may be perfect for a smaller church school; for example, visiting in a nursing home.

In closing, let’s remember that there are many advantages to the smaller school. There are additional possibilities, and also, there are few activities in which the small church school cannot participate, perhaps with a little tailoring. Let’s remember also, that our little church schools are just as effective in educating our children and in exposing them to the Kingdom of Heaven!