Atlanta Public Schools is rolling out a new comprehensive plan to address overcrowding and low enrollment. The plan includes closing some schools and repurposing them to serve the community in other ways.
The district is gathering community feedback to create the APS Forward 2040 plan. It will redistrict schools to balance enrollment across the city, create more equitable funding, and improve program options for students.
Decisions about which facilities will expand, close or merge will be based on data and community input. Atlanta Board of Education is working with HPM Leadership to turn that information into a strategic plan.
HPM Vice President Tracy Richter said transfer rates are one thing they’re considering.
“It can give us information about why students are going to other boundaries, [and] what the reasoning is,” he said. “Could it be programming? Can we realign programming to reduce this in order to keep kids closer to their neighborhood schools?”
Atlanta Public School facilities have capacity to hold 70,000 students , but right now the district has about 50,000 students enrolled. Those empty seats still cost the district money.
Richter said APS has to find a balance between three factors: operating costs, school size and program offerings.
“If a district wants smaller schools and low operating costs, it’s going to be difficult to offer the programs that are really necessary for student success in a district,” he said. “It is up to APS in Atlanta and its communities to shape the triangle.”
In a public statement, APS stated it is focused on expanding resources like counseling, after-school programs and college readiness services. An initial survey sent to families also sought input on the district creating its first performing arts school.
Initial proposed changes will be shared publicly the week of Aug. 18 and will be open to community feedback.
