If you've got kids, you know: different kids have different needs.
A school district with a wide variety of communities and programming means that families can find the right place for their kids' needs, within the public school program.
Somerville has a "Controlled Choice" school assignment program -- meaning that families are welcome to enroll their child at any school in the district, by lottery. Many families choose their neighborhood/proximity school, but many families choose by other priorities. Somerville has always encouraged families to visit multiple schools and find the right choice for their kid.
The Brown is the last remaining K-5 school in the Somerville district. Yes, it's a bit of an odd duck. But having the Brown means that families in Somerville have the option to send their kid to a small school, if that's the environment where that kid thrives -- even if they don't have the money for private school.