Research has shown that students in smaller learning communities:

have better attendance,
are less likely to drop out,
exhibit fewer discipline problems, and
perform better than students in schools of 1,00 or more.

ASCL's staff has assisted districts in preparing successful applications and implementing SLC strategies. ASCL's staff provides professional development and consulting services on the design and implementation of a variety of SLC strategies including:

Career academies that offer students academic programs organized around a broad career theme. Classes directly relate to work the student has undertaken during the school year;
Mentoring and other teacher/advisory systems in which teachers, counselors, other school staff, volunteers, and employees who work with the student serve as mentors to help students on an individual basis. Advisory activities may include helping students develop personal learning plans, introducing them to career possibilities, helping them choose which classes to take, and helping students plan for attending college or a university;
Schools-within-schools and "houses" that operate within existing schools, reporting directly to the school district and not to the school Principal. These programs have their own staff, students, and budget. In addition, house programs have their own student activities, student government, disciplinary policies, and social activities; and
Career clusters, which help students by mapping out a curriculum that will provide the academic and technical education necessary for their particular field.