High school in Connecticut isn’t too abnormal. There’s dating, drama, dances, sporting events and all the other things you’d expect to find. But if you happened to attend a high school on the smaller side, then your experience might be a little different. Small schools usually mean small towns, and that combination gives some pretty interesting results.
1. It is possible to know the names of everyone in school.
And they know your name, too. You probably weren't even nervous on the first day of high school. When you know everyone there you're basically worry free. In fact, you were probably excited to reconnect with the older kids you used to hang out with in middle school.
2. There is no such thing as lost in a small high school.
You know where every teacher's classroom is, even if they're not your teacher. You could never use the excuse that you got lost, or that you were showing someone else where to go.
3. You know intimate details about your teachers' lives.
Especially if any teachers are married to one another. You can't remember how you know, but it's totally normal to know where your teachers live or how they met their partner. Plus they probably taught your parents too, so there are literally decades of stories.
4. Nobody cuts you any slack.
When classroom sizes are that small, teachers are super involved on an individual level. Not passing a class is nearly impossible, unless you really just don't want to. Teachers will hunt you down. And call your parents.
5. There is no point in skipping.
The only place to go is the lake or river or reservoir or whatever. If you go into town someone will see you. And with less students, your absence is always noticed. The effort just isn't worth it.
6. You need the PTA.
The moms (and some dads) literally make everything in a small high school possible. They plan, fundraise, sell tickets and carpool. It's kind of amazing.
7. Gossip spreads at the speed of light.
If you trip on the walk to school, everyone in homeroom will know. Sometimes they know things about you before you know them yourself. It'd be sweet if it weren't so scary.
8. Nobody switches tables in the cafeteria.
In a weird phenomenon, friend groups sit down and then never change tables again. You know where to find anyone in the cafeteria because they literally never sit anywhere else.
9. You know everyone's siblings.
Even if they look nothing alike. Even if they're not in high school. They either tutored you, were on your sibling's team, or you just see them around. Either way you know a lot of elementary school kids. But so does everybody else so it's cool.
10. Driving makes you popular.
Everyone wants to hop in your car the second you have a license and access to keys. So much more freedom! Except now people know where you are by the car, too. But at least everyone gets a space at your school.
11. You and your friends are super close.
Mostly because you've been hanging out since you were like 4. People rarely move away and there's only one high school so you all stick together. You probably took for granted how amazing it is to have a friend in your life since day one.
12. New people are kind of a big deal.
You give new teachers and students the third degree. You want to know where they're from, what they like, and how they found your tiny school. They love it though because they get to be celebrities for a day.
13. High school news was national news.
Or at least that's what it felt like. The local paper printed in depth stories about every sports event and school activity so that you couldn't tell the difference between the town paper and the school paper.
14. Small graduations are way more fun.
Since you don't have a thousand names to go through you can announce everyone's awards, hear multiple speeches and even have musical performances. It's actually a pretty good time.
15. Small high schools get two thumbs up for being the best!
Even if you were one of those kids who said you couldn't wait to get out, the closeness of the class and the support of the community is irreplaceable.
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