Broward County Public Schools could undergo its most significant round of school closures in years, with more than 10 schools potentially shutting down in 2027, Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.
That would surpass the total number of school closures recorded over the past two years combined, marking a major escalation in the district’s effort to address long-term enrollment decline and excess capacity.
According to a report published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the district closed one school in 2025 — Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill — and plans to close six additional schools after the current school year ends in June. Those include North Fork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, Panther Run Elementary in Pembroke Pines, and Plantation Middle School.
Officials say further closures are being considered as part of a broader restructuring plan that could also include opening new schools to replace aging, under-enrolled facilities.
A major change planned for this fall involves an overhaul of the four Nova schools, which will introduce an artificial intelligence-based curriculum aimed at restoring them as hubs for innovative learning.
The proposed changes fall under Year 3 of the district’s “Redefining Broward County Public Schools” initiative, designed to address 15 years of declining enrollment that has left more than 50,000 empty seats across the system.
Broward’s school consolidation push and proposed changes fall under Year 3 of the district’s “Redefining Broward County Public Schools” initiative and come against a backdrop of deepening financial strain tied directly to shrinking enrollment. The district has faced multi-year budget shortfalls, including a projected gap of tens of millions of dollars, as funding in Florida is largely allocated on a per-student basis. Officials say enrollment has dropped by more than 40,000 students over the past decade, leaving roughly 50,000 empty seats across the system and forcing the district to reduce staffing and programs to match reduced revenue.
District officials attribute the trend to a mix of factors, including the expansion of charter schools, declining birth rates, increased private school voucher use, and changing immigration patterns.
While no final list of schools has been released, officials confirmed that more than 10 schools could be affected in the 2027 round of closures.
The School Board is expected to begin reviewing proposals in July, with final recommendations due by December. Any approved changes would take effect in the 2027–2028 school year.
