Beaverton School District's large class sizes 'the new normal'

As the first week of classes across Beaverton comes to an close, a term has emerged to describe large class sizes and fewer course offerings: "the new normal."

Elementary schools range from 27 to 37 students per class, middle schools from 27 to 45 and high schools from 35 to 55.

For months, school district administrators reminded parents that classes would be large this year because of budget cuts, but "large" looks far different in a real-life classroom packed with students.

Despite the potential for chaos, several principals on Wednesday described the smoothest first days they'd seen in years. It was as if the challenges facing teachers and students were helping them bond. But they added the caveat that it was only the first day.

Arts & Communications Magnet Academy set a goal to keep classes under 50 students, said Principal Michael Johnson.  

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"The old normal has changed," he said. The smallest class sizes at the grade 6-12 school are about 25 and the largest are 50, including core classes such as math, science and language arts.

"It's bigger than we'd like, and we've been moving in furniture, but we've been able to make it work," Johnson said.

The option school added 120 students from its waiting list for this school year, boosting the enrollment to 720 kids.

Principal Todd Corsetti said extendable walls between classrooms had helped tremendously as some classes exceeded 50 students. The average class size at Southridge is 42 with some freshman courses in the high 30s.

"We try to protect our at-risk and younger students," he said.

Teachers in the double classrooms are using projectors and microphone systems to ensure they reach all of the students, Corsetti said.

In addition to larger classes, Southridge is adjusting to a new semester schedule. The school operated on a trimester schedule for years. And, like all teachers in the district, instructors are working their way through a new student tracking and grading software system.

Corsetti said he hadn't heard from any concerned parents, yet, but he had heard from students.

"They've stepped up," he said. "What I've sensed from the kids is 'we need to help our teachers out.'"

The district laid off 204 licensed staff in August and has since rehired 51 full-time and 22 part-time as enrollment stabilizes.

It is evaluating class sizes over the next two weeks as students settle in and will determine if adjustments are possible, said Maureen Wheeler, district spokeswoman.

has about five classes topping 40 students, but most are in the mid to low 30s, said Principal Toshiko Maurizio.

"I have to say, so far, things have been going very, very well," said Maurizio, who added that the school was luckier than some.

At

, classrooms ranged from 33 to at least 46 students, said Principal Ken Yarnell.

"Class sizes are as large as I have seen them in my career," he said. Yarnell is in his 32nd year as an educator.

The school cut more than 20 courses, including Japanese 3 and 4, woodworking, history of film, accounting II and sports psychology. As at Southridge, Yarnell reported a good attitude among the students.

"They've been very committed to being good citizens," he said.

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