Schools on the brink: Pandemic-era enrollment drops threaten hundreds of institutions

A recent report by the Fordham Institute reveals that nearly 500 low-performing schools have lost 20% or more of their students since the pandemic, marking them as potential candidates for closure. The study emphasizes the need for school districts to proactively address these declines through interventions such as family engagement and targeted support. Sofoklis Goulas, a fellow with the Brookings Institution, cautioned against framing the findings as a “bad schools list,” urging instead that they serve as a starting point for necessary discussions. The report highlights that increased family dissatisfaction, especially in high-poverty urban areas, is driving students away, suggesting that solutions will vary by district. As many as 5,100 schools nationwide are affected, with districts like Los Angeles USD facing significant enrollment challenges due to broader socioeconomic issues. The report calls for careful planning and community-specific solutions to address the root causes of student disengagement and potential school closures.