News Summary
St. Louis Public Schools is considering the closure of 37 schools, leaving only 31 open by 2026, amid declining enrollment and infrastructure challenges. This significant decision, which follows a recent tornado that caused the closure of seven schools, is set for discussion at a school board meeting. The district serves approximately 18,122 students, but projections indicate further declines due to population shifts and ongoing staffing shortages. Community engagement is crucial as stakeholders respond to the proposal, which Superintendent Millicent Borishade will address in the coming months.
St. Louis is facing a critical shift in its education landscape as the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) district proposes closing 37 schools in a move that would see only 31 schools remaining open by the fall of 2026. This plan, which represents the largest school closure initiative in the city’s history, is slated for discussion at an upcoming school board meeting.
Currently, SLPS serves approximately 18,122 students spread across more than 60 schools. The district has one of the lowest average building capacity rates in the United States, indicating a significant number of underutilized facilities. Additionally, enrollment figures are anticipated to decline, with projections suggesting a loss of between 800 and 2,000 students this summer alone as many families are displaced following a tornado.
On May 16, a tornado struck the city, exacerbating existing challenges and leading to the permanent closure of seven SLPS schools. Among the schools affected are Ashland Elementary and Soldan International Studies High School, which will transfer their students to Gateway STEM High School due to severe damage. The estimated total damages to the affected educational institutions exceed $14.5 million.
This proposal comes at a time when St. Louis’s population is also projected to decline further, potentially dropping below 266,000 within the next ten years. Correspondingly, the school district estimates that enrollment may dwindle to approximately 12,700 students by 2035. Superintendent Millicent Borishade is set to make formal recommendations concerning school closures in the months ahead.
SLPS has engaged the community in discussions about this major transformation through meetings titled “Reimagining SLPS.” These gatherings aim to collect feedback from various stakeholders, including parents and educators, about the upcoming changes and challenges. However, given the unfortunate events surrounding the tornado, many voices in the community are advocating for the postponement of any permanent decisions regarding school closures to allow for a more thoughtful response to the recent disaster.
Currently, SLPS is also facing ongoing difficulties in filling positions for certified staff, including teachers, counselors, and coaches, further complicating the educational landscape. The implications of a nationwide decline in birth rates are being felt across multiple school districts, including SLPS, impacting student enrollment numbers overall.
SLPS has taken a proactive approach in addressing these complex issues by partnering with Cordogan, Clark and Associates, an architectural firm commissioned to conduct a thorough analysis of declining enrollment trends and the school district’s projected capacity needs.
The situation remains fluid, and public engagement continues to be at the forefront as SLPS navigates its options in the face of significant operational and infrastructural challenges. The community is left awaiting the school board’s review of the proposal and the superintendent’s forthcoming recommendations as it collectively plans for the future of education in St. Louis.
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Additional Resources
- St. Louis Today
- Wikipedia: St. Louis Public Schools
- Fox 2 Now
- Google Search: St. Louis Public Schools restructuring
- GovTech
- Google Scholar: St. Louis education system
- Fox 2 Now – Tornado Plans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: St. Louis Public Schools
