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 Data

Small School Districts Council

CSBA established a Small School Districts Council to ensure that the issues and concerns of small school districts and county offices of education are being addressed in CSBA’s policy-making process and that CSBA is effectively serving the needs of these districts.  This body also provides testimony on critical issues and an opportunity for communication between small school districts and CSBA leadership.  For more information on CSBA’s Small School Districts Council, please visit the resource links below.

• Small School Districts Roster 
• CSBA Small School Districts Council Unity of Purpose 

Best practices

In this section, best practices are highlighted for small school districts. If you have a best practice you would like to share, please contact Amber Lockhart at alockhart@csba.org.

Shasta County consists of 25 school districts serving 28,908 K-12 students.  Working with their County Office of Education, Shasta has come up with a unique way to ensure their special education student’s transportation needs are met.  Learn More »

Articles

• Rural Policy Matters - Students of Color Comprise Majority in High Poverty Rural Districts

Resources

• California Schools Magazine
• California School News
• Rural school tools
• U. S. Department of Education - Navigating Resources for Rural Schools
• National Rural Education Association
• Organizations Concerned About Rural Education
• The Education Commission of the States
• Rural Policy Research Institute
• The Rural School and Community Trust