Our last article highlighted the benefits of a smaller school based on
research.  This week we would like to continue to highlight those benefits
based on experience.  Following are comments from Amy Flogel, WHHS Class of 2003.

Five years ago I graduated from high school and left the small community of
Wisconsin Heights, which I had been a part of my whole life, to move on to
the next step of higher education. As probably most college freshman start,
I was excited to be moving on yet worried about whether I would be prepared
for the added challenges and responsibilities that college would present.
Looking back, I realize how many advantages I had from being a part of the
Wisconsin Heights district.  Despite its size and the current challenges it
faces, I was well prepared for college and for starting a career.

I think the most obvious advantage of a small school like Heights is the
close relationships you can build with people, especially teachers. There
were several teachers who I got to know in high school who played very
important roles in my decision to pursue the career I chose. Also, my
parents really appreciated how teachers at all levels were so willing to
take time to talk about their students' progress. That one-on-one
interaction is very hard to find at larger schools. Because I enjoyed that
small setting so much, I chose to attend a small college as well and was
very fortunate to have received that same individual attention from
professors, which I know helped me succeed in my classes. Another benefit I
received from Heights was earning 12 college credits from high school, which
included AP classes and other classes I tested out of, enabling me to finish
a program in 4 years that usually takes 4 ½ or 5. Small schools may get
criticized for not offering enough AP or college credit courses, but I was
still able to benefit from what Heights offered. A third way I benefited
from going to Heights was the opportunity to play on 3 varsity teams. One of
these sports I was able to letter in for 4 years, and another I was able to
continue playing in college. I love playing sports and this was definitely
one of the biggest highlights of high school for me, but I know that at a
bigger school with a wider selection of athletes, I probably wouldn't have
gotten those same opportunities.

All in all, I would never trade the education I received at Wisconsin
Heights. Thanks to everyone who was responsible for my 13 years of being
educated at Heights, I graduated high school at the top of my class, went on
to college to study secondary math education and to play volleyball,
graduated in four years with honors, and got a teaching job within a month
after graduating. I have decided to stay in this area because of how much
this community is a part of me and am thankful for opportunities to still be
involved here. I have high hopes for this district and for future
individuals who will benefit as much as I did from being a Vanguard.