Broward Schools proposes seven school closures to address enrollment issues

At least seven schools in Broward County could face closure or consolidation under the school district’s latest plan to address declining enrollment, with changes potentially taking effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

The proposal, released Friday as part of the district’s “Redefining Broward County Public Schools” initiative, also includes adding middle school grades to five schools — four elementary schools and one high school — and implementing programming overhauls at several campuses. Hallandale High, for instance, would be redesigned to mirror the high-performing Pompano Beach High.

The district has lost roughly 37,707 students over the past decade, including nearly 10,000 in the past year, leaving more than 50,000 empty seats. Officials attribute the decline to the growth of private school vouchers, homeschooling, and families moving due to affordability issues.

Among the proposals that could spark debate:

• Combining Fairway and Sunshine Elementary schools in Miramar into a single campus.

• Converting Glades Middle in Miramar into a vocational school.

• Closing Northfork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale and leasing it to Junior Achievement for a new education center.

• Closing Plantation Middle and converting Plantation High into a 6-12 school.

• Closing Bair Middle in Sunrise.

• Combining Palm Cove Elementary and Pines Lakes Elementary in Pembroke Pines into one campus.

• Converting Panther Run Elementary in Pembroke Pines into a special day school for students with autism.

• Closing Forest Glen Middle in Coral Springs.

• Adjusting Walter C. Young Middle in Pembroke Pines either for closure and workforce housing or converting it into a 3-8 gifted and dual language academy.

District officials said the plan is more aggressive than a similar effort last year, which only resulted in one school closure and several grade-level changes. Input will be sought through town halls, municipal meetings, and a School Board workshop scheduled for October 7. Final recommendations are expected before the end of the year.

Key upcoming milestones include:

• Oct. 13–21, 2025: Regional stakeholder meetings for all identified schools.

• Nov. 13, 2025: Boundary Committee votes on recommendations.

• Dec. 9, 2025: School Board Workshop IV to present proposals and committee recommendations.

• Jan. 13–14, 2026: Final adoption of recommendations and notification to impacted students, parents, and staff.

The district emphasized that all decisions would follow extensive consultation with communities to ensure a smooth transition and better alignment of resources with student enrollment trends.