Declining enrollment drives wave of school closures across Texas |
Texas public school districts are increasingly closing and consolidating campuses as falling enrollment, rising costs, and state accountability requirements strain budgets. More than 150 campuses have closed or been approved for closure in less than three years, with districts citing declining student numbers, inflation, and the need to improve academic performance. State data shows public school enrollment fell by approximately 76,000 students in the 2025-26 school year—the first non-pandemic decline on record—with experts warning enrollment could fall by another 100,000 students this year. The trend has been fueled by growing demand for charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, demographic changes, and the rollout of Texas' Education Freedom Accounts program. Financial pressures are expected to persist, with a survey by the Texas Association of School Business Officials finding that 44% of districts anticipated ending fiscal 2025-26 with budget shortfalls, while 80% expected to make either minor or significant spending cuts in the next budget cycle. Districts across the state are continuing to evaluate additional campus closures and other cost-saving measures as lawmakers consider future school funding reforms.
