In 2010, MDRC completed a rigorous study on the effectiveness of 105 "small schools of choice" (SSCs) in New York City. These academically nonselective schools, each with approximately 100 students per grade in grades 9 through 12, were created to serve some of the district's most disadvantaged students. They are located mainly in neighborhoods where large failing high schools had been closed. According to MDRC, the schools emphasize academic rigor and strong and sustained personal relationships among students and faculty. In addition, most were founded with community partners who offer students relevant learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom and provide school faculty with additional staffing support and resources.

The 2010 study included data for 21,000 students from four cohorts who entered ninth grade between fall 2005 and fall 2008. Findings of the study showed that SSCs are markedly improving academic progress and graduation prospects for their students. In this new policy brief, the analysis is extended by a year, with information on high school graduation rates for the 2006 cohort and a fifth year of follow-up for the 2005 cohort. It shows that SSCs have positive and sustained impacts on graduation rates, as well as a positive effect on a measure of college readiness.   

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released a statement about the study here.