Introduction to School Closures
The United States is witnessing a significant decline in student enrollment, prompting many school districts to consider closing schools. This trend is largely attributed to shrinking budgets, a falling birthrate, and a growing school choice movement. Thomasina Clarke, a resident of St. Louis, has seen several schools close in her neighborhood, which was hit by a tornado this spring and has experienced a plummeting population over the decades.
The Impact of School Closures
Clarke fears that a new round of closure discussions could result in the closure of a storm-damaged high school in her community, which has a rich history and notable alumni, including Tina Turner and Chuck Berry. The potential closure of this school has sparked concerns among community members, who believe that it would strip the historically Black community of a vital institution. St. Louis Public Schools is among the districts nationwide weighing how many urban schools to keep open due to shrinking budgets and declining enrollment.
Factors Contributing to Declining Enrollment
A district-commissioned report released this year found that the school system has more than twice the schools it needs. Such decisions are gut-wrenching, as operating half-empty schools is a financial strain, but research shows that kids often fare badly after closures. Elsewhere, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, and Norfolk, Virginia, are considering shuttering schools, while a public outcry over potential closures has stopped them – for now – in Seattle and San Francisco.
How Many Public Schools Will Close?
From 2019 to 2023, enrollment declined by 20% or more at nearly 1 in 12 public schools – roughly 5,100, according to a report published last year by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative-leaning education think tank. Many were chronically low-performing schools in high-poverty neighborhoods, the report found. Public school enrollment is projected to tumble 5.5% between 2022 and 2031, largely due to changing demographics, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Chicago Closures Led to Student Struggles
Chicago shuttered around 50 schools in 2013 – the largest school closure in U.S. history. Afterward, fighting and bullying increased as displaced students settled into new schools, according to a report from the UChicago Consortium on School Research. Test scores dipped in the schools slated for closure, and while the displaced students’ reading scores eventually recovered, math performance issues persisted for years.
Possible Closures Rattle a Community
St. Louis Public Schools’ student population plummeted from 115,543 in 1967 to 18,122 last year, reflecting an exodus of families to the suburbs. That number could drop further as residents leave their tornado-damaged homes. Sumner and an elementary school – both in the Ville neighborhood – are among seven St. Louis schools that didn’t open this fall because of tornado damage. At a school board meeting in July, consultants argued that the district can’t support all its schools, which on average were built 79 years ago. Closures, they said, could free up money for improvements.
A Promising Student Regains Focus
Dakota Scott started at Sumner as a sophomore after struggling so much at a college preparatory magnet school that she was asked to leave. But, she said, Sumner helped her get on track. She made a movie and joined choir, junior ROTC, and student council. She competed in the history competition and modeled in a Chicago fashion show with classmates. Noting the "rich history" of the school and the once wealthy neighborhood, Clarke suggested all is not lost.
Conclusion
The decline in student enrollment has left many school districts across the United States with a difficult decision: whether to close schools or keep them open despite the financial strain. While some argue that closures could free up money for improvements, others believe that it would have a devastating impact on the community. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of public education in the United States hangs in the balance.
FAQs
- Q: Why are school districts considering closing schools?
A: School districts are considering closing schools due to shrinking budgets, a falling birthrate, and a growing school choice movement. - Q: What are the potential consequences of school closures?
A: Research shows that kids often fare badly after closures, and it can also have a devastating impact on the community. - Q: How many public schools are expected to close?
A: From 2019 to 2023, enrollment declined by 20% or more at nearly 1 in 12 public schools – roughly 5,100. - Q: What can be done to prevent school closures?
A: Some argue that expanding the arts curriculum and providing more resources to schools could help prevent closures. - Q: How can communities respond to potential school closures?
A: Communities can come together to protest potential closures and advocate for their schools, as seen in Seattle and San Francisco.
