Dive Brief:
- The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Public Education approved a plan Wednesday to close 12 underused schools, open two new schools, and make multiple grade-level and programmatic changes in an effort to address declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.
- The facilities adjustments are designed to save money while providing more equitable and consistent student experiences, according to a May 27 statement from the district. The changes will result in approximately $4 million in savings in 2027 and about $8 million in savings in 2028.
- Districts around the country are closing and consolidating schools amid enrollment decreases fueled by falling birthrates, declines in incoming students and growing school choice competition. Many are also investing in academic initiatives and student supports as they strive to attract and retain students and stabilize enrollments.
Dive Insight:
Between the 2012-13 and 2023-24 school years, Pittsburgh Public Schools' data shows a decline in enrollment of 2.7% per year. The district lost about a quarter of its student population across the 2013-14 and 2023-24 school years, according to Pittsburgh Public Schools. The enrollment this school year is 17,937.
While the district has experienced overall enrollment decreases, it has noted a rise in the proportion of students who have disabilities and the number of English learners.
In addition to the enrollment decline, the district also has aging infrastructure. The average age of the district's school buildings is about 90 years old. Pittsburgh Public Schools estimates its Future Ready Plan could save more than $100 million in future facility costs while enabling the district to invest $103 million in modernized learning spaces over the next seven years.
"This plan is about far more than buildings," said Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Wayne Walters in a May 27 statement. "It is about creating equitable opportunities, strengthening academic experiences, and ensuring every student has access to learning environments that support success in college, career, and life.”
In addition to the school closures and consolidations, the district will also open a new pre-K-5th grade school, a new grade 6-8 school and an early childhood center. The district also plans to transition gifted and credit recovery services to neighborhood schools and expand access throughout the school system to academic programming, arts, athletics, world languages and career pathways.
The school closures, consolidations and enhancements will occur in multi-year phases starting with the 2027-28 school year, according to the district.
Pittsburgh Public Schools said it will continue to communicate with affected school communities throughout the transition process. A proposal last year to close nine schools in the district was rejected by a majority of board members. That proposal faced opposition from the community and several board members who, at the time, said they needed more time to consider the plan's impacts.
The approved Future Ready Plan was developed over multiple years and involved facility assessments, enrollment and demographic analysis, educational adequacy reviews, financial evaluations and community engagement. The process included input from students, families, staff and community members, the district said.
