The TCS Class of 2020 has 20 fewer students than most preceding classes. They have also developed a reputation as being both academically strong and well behaved. Their classes are smaller, creating positive changes in their behavior and educational processes.

Class size is a major issue within global education, however it has not been a main concern point during the last decade, creating various issues  in schools worldwide. Smaller class sizes bring various benefits to students and teachers. The quality of the lessons increases significantly and students get more one-on one time, improving their understanding. Teachers are able to give more feedback  and grade faster, improving the classes dynamic completely. Class sizes in TCS should have less than twenty students to assure a high quality education for each individual.

Classes sizes have been getting bigger and bigger over the last decade, creating significant problems in educational institutes worldwide. According to the Center for Education Statistics in the US, before 2008 classes used to have between 15.8 and 17.2 students. Currently, class sizes have on average 25 students, showing a significant increase. “We try for classes to be between 21 and 22 students, however some classes even have 25, due to scheduling issues,” Roger Arbabi, High School Principal, said.

TCS classes mostly have over 22 students,  some people believe a change should occur quickly. “I personally would not want my son to have classes with over 20 students,” Monica Giraldo, TCS parent, said.

Even worse, class sizes are extremely unbalanced. Some cases are huge, while others are too small. Neither of these are ideal, smaller classes don’t have as much fluidity due to the lack of different ideas. Bigger ones are not good due to the slow pace and lack of groupal concentration. Class sizes need to be balanced and should not have over 20 students to maintain a fast pace through lessons and activities.

“With my 9th graders, I have one class of 20 and one of 13. The 13 people class is tiny, so there is way more stuff that can be done,” Emily Butterworth, 9th Grade English teacher, said.

A significant reduction in class sizes would bring a chain of positive changes, improving educational quality and allowing teachers to help students individually. According to Emily Butterworth smaller classes are ideal, as teachers are able to give more feedback, they are able to grade assignments faster and give devoted attention to individuals. “This is specially important in a class like mine (journalism). It is a PBL so students need lots of support, smaller classes are great as it allows me to give them more feedback as they go,” Butterworth said.

According to a study conducted by UC Berkeley, smaller classes bring many benefits, most significantly they allow teachers to identify arising problems quickly also they encourage students to interact closely with their peers, creating a more supportive class. Students also understand the positive changes smaller classes would bring. “If students have any doubts or need any extra help the teacher will have more time to work with those students individually,” Elisa Cuartas, 11 grade student said.

This problem needs to be addressed quickly. TCS is known for its prestigious education, so classes should be reduced immediately. Having less than 20 students in each class will guarantee a more personalized learning process, in which students will receive more feedback and devoted attention.