Public schools nationwide face mass closures due to low enrollment 

Public schools across the nation are facing widespread enrollment issues, forcing many districts to consolidate or even close schools. 

School leaders often cite budget issues and thinly spread resources, as they actually face what may be a permanent decline in their student population. 

For example, Seattle Public Schools initially proposed 21 school closures but reduced the number to 5 after experiencing community backlash. Yet, it’s facing a 9% decrease in enrollment and budget challenges. 

“Officials estimated saving about $1.5 million per closed school building,” a local NPR affiliate reported. “If the district shutters five schools, that would amount to about $7.5 million of savings – a fraction of next year’s nearly $100 million shortfall.” 

Anchorage School District in Alaska reported losing 5,000 students and seeing an 84% increase in correspondence students, reducing the need for physical facilities. As many as 43 schools face closure or consolidation.  

Twenty-nine schools “are below 70% utilization, 14 school are below 60% utilization,” said Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt. “So those numbers of schools could be candidates for rightsizing but we’re not quite there in fully identifying them yet.” 

The Lafayette school district in Louisiana has proposed the closure of six schools at the behest of an independent strategic planning group. Lafayette leadership says lower enrollment, the end of COVID-19 funding, and increased insurance costs have led to a smaller budget.  

Earlier this year, Boston also released a strategic plan to either close or consolidate half of its 118 schools. Enrollment was reported to be down 13.5% since 2006. 

Two districts in West Virginia announced their intent to merge schools as well: 

• Wetzel County is consolidating four high schools into two, with the intent of merging them into a single school over the next few years. District leadership cited an ongoing teacher shortage as part of the problem.  

• Kanawha County is merging two middle schools, though six were initially proposed. The superintendent cited a decline in population and enrollment as the driving factor.  

Other shrinking districts include: 

• Pittsburgh Public Schools, which has proposed closing 14 schools due to low enrollment and resources being spread too thin.  

• San Francisco, which may close up to 11 schools.  

• Denver Public Schools, which is also in the process of rightsizing, although the district hasn’t announced how many schools are on the chopping block. 

While there are a variety of reasons families are gravitating away from the public education system, the result is clear. Charter schools, private schools, homeschools and other innovative models such as micro-schools are thriving as families seek the education model best suited to the unique needs of their child.