Saralnama5,100 US public schools saw enrollment drop by 20% or more from 2019 to 2023. Districts across the country are considering closures due to falling student numbers, shrinking budgets, and school choice. St. Louis Public Schools, with 18,122 students in 2022 (down from 115,543 in 1967), is among those weighing options. Closures can free up money but often harm students. Chicago closed 50 schools in 2013, leading to academic struggles and increased fighting. In St. Louis, the tornado-damaged Sumner High School, alma mater of Tina Turner and Chuck Berry, faces an uncertain future. The district has twice the schools it needs, but closures would further impact struggling neighborhoods. Public school enrollment is expected to fall 5.5% between 2022 and 2031 due to demographic changes and other factors. (Updated 25 Sep 2025, 08:20 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- 5,100 US public schools saw enrollment drop by 20% or more from 2019 to 2023
- Districts across the country are considering closures due to falling student numbers, shrinking budgets, and school choice
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