The Research Proves Our Point
Bigger Is Not Better
One of the many reasons schools in the Madison District historically perform so well is the optimum size of the district. Because of its enrollment of 5,400 students, Madison is able to operate at a high rate of efficiency and also provide an exceptional educational experience for students.
According to research about school districts, size matters — which means that bigger is not better.
Arizona Auditor General
A report by the state's Auditor General concludes that a district's administrative efficiency is achieved at the 5,000-student level.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
It's assumed in some education circles that there is a Golden Mean for the optimal size of a district. Tom Horne, Superintendent of Public Instruction, said it's approximately 30,000 students — four times less than the 120,000-student district proposed in the Mega District Plan.
SDRC Commissioner Jay Blanchard
“Common sense would dictate if we combined all the elementary school districts and Phoenix high school districts, that about 110,000 students would be too big.”
Horizon
Channel 8
May 9, 2007