CSBA defines a small school district as those which serve 2,500 students or less. California has the reputation of having many urban and suburban districts, in fact, over 55 percent of California’s districts serve fewer than 2,500 students – 80 percent of which serve fewer than 1,500 students. Many of these districts are located in rural areas.
- 55 percent of all districts in California are “small,” but small districts serve only seven percent of the total population of students.
- American Indian students make up less than two percent of California’s student population, yet 23 percent of all American Indian students are enrolled in small school districts.
- On average, small school districts serve free and reduced price lunch to 49 percent of their students, have a 19 percent English Learner population and serve 44 percent minority students in their districts.
- 23 percent of all small school districts serve less than 200 students.
- The smallest school district in California is Panoche Elementary School District in San Benito County with an enrollment of four.
Data
Small School Districts Webinar
In 2009 CSBA hosted a Webinar on topics of interest to small school districts. The archive of the Webinar is posted below as separate files according to the agenda. Please contact Leslie O’Neill if you have any questions.
Resources