An Extraordinary Educational Model; a Challenging Economic Model
At Ashbrook, small class sizes are more than a talking point: they’re a definitive part of the extraordinary student experience. With an average student-to-teacher ratio far below that of many schools, and enviable class level caps (16 in the PS and PK, 18 in grades K-4, and 21 in grades 5-8), Ashbrook ensures every child (and family) is seen, heard, and known. As we like to say, in an Ashbrook classroom, there is no back row!
Walk into any Ashbrook classroom, and you’ll notice the difference immediately. Students aren’t lost in the crowd or competing for attention, they are active participants in dynamic learning environments that provide them with plenty of opportunities to think critically about what they are learning. In this respect, our teachers don’t just deliver lessons; they engage in ongoing conversations with students, guiding, probing, challenging, and nurturing each learner according to their unique learning profiles.
This personalized attention pays off in many ways. Teachers can tailor instruction to match students’ strengths and interests, provide real-time feedback, and adjust pacing to keep engagement high and stress low. As a result, students build meaningful relationships with their teachers and classmates, which in turn fosters more of a willingness to take academic risks, to collaborate, and to innovate, imagine, and wonder.
In the younger grades, small class sizes might look like more one-on-one reading instruction, hands-on science exploration, and differentiated math support. In the upper grades, small classes allow for vibrant Socratic style seminar discussions, in-depth writing workshops, spirited debates, and high-level problem-solving.
The impact goes beyond academics. Small class sizes foster a culture of trust, safety, and personal growth. Students gain the confidence to speak up, lead, and lean into challenges. This is an environment that is easy to take for granted, and we often hear from visitors that
At Ashbrook, small classes are a big deal, and although this means that we routinely turn away students who are qualified to attend because we simply do not have room, we are committed to small classes as a defining part of the Ashbrook way! This is one of the many ways we work to make sure every student receives an extraordinary educational experience made possible, in this case, in the ability to better connect with peers and teachers.