Small Schools by Design was founded as a nonprofit in 2019 by Nicky Ramos-Beban.

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Inspired by a 2006 San Francisco School Board policy of the same name, Small Schools by Design collaborates with local communities to plan, fund and build small, project-based and tuition-free middle schools. 

 

Nicky has over 25 years of experience in education and is a founding principal of multiple small schools.  Nicky is the co-author of Be the Change: Reinventing School for Student Success, and has instructed in the teacher education departments at San Jose State University and Stanford University since 1999. Nicky is the recipient of the Labosky Award from Stanford University for Contributions to Teacher Education, and has a research doctorate in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University.