Bigger is always better. Whether it be a bigger TV, a bigger house or a bigger car, they always have their benefits. So, a big school is always better. Right?

What is beneficial when it comes to big schools? It seems daunting. There are more people, which means more strangers; how can one possibly get close to people like at Freedom, a high school with only 400 students? It’s as though you’re in a sea of people with so many unknown passersby going past as you walk down the halls. However,

Experience what a larger school is like, and you will come to find that it holds many new opportunities and benefits that a small school cannot provide, even if it may have a few drawbacks; but then, everything has a drawback.

A major pro that comes with a school of such size are the classes; more choices and more of a say in what you want to do, an integral part of a high school career. Without having the classes you want, you cannot explore those areas and develop greater knowledge and expertise in a desirable  subject. The more people there are, the more classes there can be, as there is no contingency that those classes would not be filled.

“I feel like bigger schools do have an advantage on number of classes available, from what I know from friends in other schools, bigger schools tend to have a bigger class variety,” sophomore Sean Galderisi at Freedom Area High School said.

Not only does everyone have more classes, that benefit also extends to disadvantaged students and students with special needs, as a larger class selection provides that opportunity for those students.

Also, as larger schools typically have a less limiting budget, this allows for students to take more Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, enabling them to earn credits in high school. These credits are often at much lower rates than credits earned during college, saving students money.

With larger schools comes more money for the district, meaning state-of-the-art technology and equipment for educational purposes. Tech classes have access to innovative technology such as three-dimensional printers, laser printers, smart boards, computers or tablets.

Small schools typically have a very strict class selection and due to budgeting issues cannot afford as many extracurriculars or sports. This may prevent some students from being able to get involved in school, and they have a more difficult time standing out in order to earn distinguishment and a possible scholarship.

Larger schools often have greater diversity in its students. You would see people from many different backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs. Being exposed to different types of people makes you more well rounded as a person, and exposes you more to the world.

Small schools may have their benefits, but they are in no way comparable to the size of the benefits of larger schools.