Broward Schools invites public to help decide on closures or consolidations

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is calling on parents, students, staff, and community members to help shape the future of education in the district as the second phase of the Redefining Our Schools initiative begins.

The program, launched to address shifting enrollment, resources, and community needs, has already led to significant changes. Phase one, implemented this school year, saw one elementary school close, four elementary schools expand to K-8 campuses, and one middle school convert to a 6-12 model.

Now, district leaders are preparing for a broader set of decisions that could affect three high schools, 15 middle schools, and 16 elementary schools. Options under consideration range from adjusting attendance boundaries to full school closures. Any final actions could take effect as soon as the 2026-27 academic year.

The urgency comes amid steep enrollment declines. Preliminary figures show nearly 9,500 fewer students enrolled on the first day of school this year compared with last year — a drop from 249,563 to 240,065 students.

Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, School Board members, and district staff will host a series of evening meetings in September to share details, answer questions, and gather feedback from families and residents. Officials emphasized that no final decisions have been made, and community input will play a critical role in shaping recommendations.

Meeting Schedule (6–8 p.m.)

• Sept. 10 – Miramar High School (Miramar)

  • Elementary: Fairway, Miramar, Sunshine, Watkins

  • Middle: Glades, New Renaissance

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• Sept. 15 – Hallandale Magnet High School (Hallandale Beach)

  • High: Hallandale Magnet

• Sept. 17 – South Broward High School (Hollywood)

  • Middle: Attucks, McNicol, Olsen

• Sept. 18 – Dillard 6–12 High School (Fort Lauderdale)

  • Elementary: Bennett, North Fork, North Side, Thurgood Marshall, Walker

• Sept. 24 – Stranahan High School (Fort Lauderdale)

  • High: Stranahan

• Sept. 25 – Plantation High School (Plantation)

  • Middle: Bair, Plantation, Westpine

  • High: Plantation

• Sept. 29 – Charles W. Flanagan High School (Pembroke Pines)

  • Elementary: Chapel Trail, Dolphin Bay, Lakeside, Palm Cove, Panther Run, Pines Lakes, Sunset Lakes

  • Middle: Silver Trail, Walter C. Young

• Sept. 30 – Coral Springs High School (Coral Springs)

  • Middle: Coral Springs, Forest Glen, Margate, Ramblewood, Sawgrass Springs

BCPS leaders stressed that the goal of Redefining Our Schools is to ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining strong academic programs that reflect the needs of Broward’s diverse communities.