School Closures Rise as U.S. Enrollment Keeps Falling

More than 1,000 public schools closed nationwide in the 2025-26 school year, the fourth consecutive year closures have increased. Declining birth rates, expiring pandemic relief funds, and immigration enforcement are shrinking K-12 enrollment, now projected to fall to 46.9 million students by 2031. States from Vermont to California are testing new approaches to encourage consolidation without forcing it. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/fewer-students-too-many-schools-communities-confront-closures-and-consolidations/ #PublicEducation #SchoolClosures #DecliningEnrollment #K12 #SchoolConsolidation #EducationPolicy #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty