Small Schools Northwest

Small Schools Northwest is a resource for public schools and school districts engaged in school redesign and whole school improvement. Our mission is to support the systemic transformation of public schools into high achieving equitable schools where a small group of teachers are accountable for the education of a small group of students with authentic connection and choice for families. We provide guidance and professional development for:

• Large public schools that are in the process of restructuring into smaller learning communities,
• Already small schools seeking instructional improvement, and
• Start-up and charter schools from proposal to planning to implementation.

Comprehensive School Improvement

You can draw on the services, resources and collective experiences of SSNW and its network to fulfill the needs of your school community towards school improvement.

• Designing small schools, schools-within-schools and other small, innovative learning communities
• Communicating information to and from stakeholders and obtaining buy-in
• Collaborating with stakeholders to develop vision and focus for small schools
• Consulting with district and school leaders to solve problems of overcrowding, scheduling, design and policy
• Connecting teachers through professional development in areas of leadership, teaming and collaborative teaching
• Constructing, integrating and aligning curriculum and assessment for small schools

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School coaches assist schools in a variety of ways with the creation of, or conversion to, smaller learning communities. Specifically they can assist school staffs with the development of:

• A vision and design for change
• Leadership skills
• Strategies to improve school culture
• Professional development planning
• Structures to support adult collaboration and inquiry
• Data-based inquiry
• Community engagement and collaboration
• Facilitation and facilitative leadership

On the benefits of coaching:

"Foster has benefited greatly from having outside coaches work with us during the last 4 years. I am convinced that our school would not have made the progress we have in areas of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reform if we hadn't received the benefits of outside coaching. At a personal level, I have grown to appreciate an outside source of ideas on how my own professional practice can continue to evolve. I have been fortunate to work with outside coaches who understand the administrative realm and have gained from one on one discussion with them."

Gary Moed, Principal
Foster High School
Tukwila, WA

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National School Reform Faculty
Center of Activity

Small Schools Northwest is a National School Reform Faculty (NSRF) Center of Activity for the Portland area. NSRF is a professional development initiative that focuses on developing collegial relationships, encouraging reflective practice, and rethinking leadership in restructuring schools -- all in support of increased student achievement. Their mission is to "foster educational and social equity by empowering all people involved with schools to work collaboratively in democratic, reflective communities that create and support powerful learning experiences for everyone." At the heart of the NSRF program is the Critical Friends Group (CFG). CFGs are the product of a simple idea; providing deliberate time and structures to promote adult professional growth that is directly linked to student learning.

We consider this work to be integral to the reinvention of our public schools and have incorporated it into our work with and support for schools. In our role as a Center of Activity, SSNW hosts Critical Friends Group trainings on a regular basis, provides support to existing groups, and provides professional development opportunities related to the further development of collegial relationships. Find out more at http://www.nsrfharmony.org.

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How Do I Contact Small Schools Northwest to work in My School/District?

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of a partnership with Small Schools Northwest or would like more information on how Small Schools Northwest can support school restructuring efforts in your school or district, please contact us and arrange a consultation to discuss the needs of your school or school district.

For more information on any of these services, please contact us.