Class size is important because it may influence the one-on-one attention that teachers provide to students and the level of classroom discipline. Consider asking your school principal about targeted class sizes in your district. Keep in mind that class size averages may change slightly as students make changes to their schedules or as students move during the school year.
All class size averages are calculated from the number of students in classrooms for grades K-8. Classroom counts are based on "typical" classes. Special education classes, advanced classes, arts education classes, physical education/health classes, career-technical education classes, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are not included in the averages. Due to limitations of the data collection system, average class sizes of less than 10 students are reported as N/A (not available), and class sizes are not reported for students in Pre-Kindergarten.
A school may exceed required class size requirements in grades 4-12 by including an ABCs class size waiver in its school improvement plan as approved by the local board of education. ABCs class size waivers remain in effect for the life of the school improvement plan.
A local board of education may request an individual class size exception waiver for a class size overage that the board determines it cannot correct. The State Board of Education may grant a local board an individual class size waiver if the overage exists due to reasons allowed in class size legislation. An individual class size exception waiver will remain in effect only for the school year in which it is granted.
Please note: If N/A is listed for this indicator, fewer than 10 students were reported for a grade in the data received for this school. This may be a result of the way data were reported to the state in 2008-09.
For more technical information about these data and its sources, please see the Data Sources & Information Guide.