Operating at just 65% capacity, Atlanta public schools plan closures amid enrollment decline
Atlanta Public Schools (APS), one of Georgia’s largest public school districts, is confronting a mounting crisis: steady enrolment declines have left the district with tens of thousands of empty seats and underused facilities. In response, APS is actively exploring options that include school closures, redistricting, consolidations, and potentially new construction. The district describes this comprehensive effort as “bold and necessary,” aimed at aligning its resources with shifting student populations.
Operating at just 65% capacity
Data reported by K-12 Dive from APS’s enrolment and facility utilisation reports shows the district is currently utilising only about 65% of its total seating capacity. This translates to over 21,000 empty seats across 75 learning facilities, a stark indicator of declining demand. Projections suggest this underutilisation will persist through the 2029-30 school year.Student enrolment is forecasted to drop from approximately 49,944 students in the 2024-25 academic year to around 48,000 by 2028-29. The elementary school segment is expected to see the most significant percentage decrease, which is particularly concerning given that 49 of the district’s 75 schools are elementary or K-8 institutions.
Closures and mergers on the table
APS has yet to reveal how many schools are at risk of closure or consolidation, but the district acknowledges that significant structural changes are imminent. Any facilities left unused after these changes will not be abandoned; instead, they will be repurposed to serve community needs, marking a strategic shift in how the district manages its physical assets amid enrolment pressures.The district’s facilities plan is still evolving, with input from stakeholders and further analysis expected in the coming months. This ongoing process aims to balance cost-efficiency with maintaining access to quality education across the district.
A reflection of broader national enrollment challenges
Atlanta’s enrolment woes reflect a nationwide trend affecting many public school districts. Falling birthrates, demographic shifts, and increased competition from charter and private schools have combined to erode public school enrollments across the country.In Missouri, St. Louis Public Schools recently proposed closing more than half of its schools, 37 out of 68, over the next two school years, driven by a projected 30% enrolment decline over the next decade. These closures mirror the scale of challenges districts like APS face in adjusting their infrastructures to new realities.
Financial strain threatens K-12 stability
The enrolment decline is not just a demographic issue; it also puts significant financial strain on districts. Moody’s Ratings issued a negative outlook for the K-12 sector in 2025, highlighting enrolment pressures as one of the main drivers of instability. Declining student numbers reduce state and federal funding tied to enrolment, while districts simultaneously face rising operational costs and stagnant or slow-growing revenues.This squeeze threatens districts’ ability to maintain programs, staff, and facilities, forcing difficult decisions like those APS is currently making.
