DeKalb County Schools proposes closing 27 schools, repurposing 8

27 DeKalb County schools may close

The DeKalb County School District is considering closing up to 27 schools and repurposing eight others over the next six to eight years. It comes after officials say there are not enough students to keep them running.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - The DeKalb County School District is considering closing up to 27 schools and repurposing eight others over the next six to eight years.

What we know:

The district announced the comprehensive proposal Thursday morning, detailing potential futures for dozens of campuses. Officials emphasized that the plan is currently a "conversation starter" and that "nothing is decided."

In evaluating which schools to potentially close or repurpose, the district considered building adequacy, student proximity, capacity, and recent capital investments. The district stated the plan follows an approach designed to utilize the "district's strongest buildings."

"When changes are considered in one area, impacts across the entire district must also be evaluated. That is why these scenarios are presented as system-wide conversation starters, not isolated actions," the district said in a statement.

DeKalb high and middle school shifts

What they're saying:

District predictions show that by 2030, student enrollment will drop by the equivalent of four high schools' worth of seats. The plan proposes eliminating three high schools—Cedar Grove, Lithonia, and Towers—and repurposing them as middle schools.

The district cited "low educational adequacy" for all three facilities and noted their proximity to other campuses: Towers is near Columbia High, Cedar Grove is near McNair High, and Lithonia is near Miller Grove High.

Additionally, the district expects five middle schools' worth of empty seats by 2030. Under the proposal, Cedar Grove Middle School would close entirely due to low enrollment. Five other middle schools—Champion Theme, McNair, Bethune, Miller Grove, and Lithonia—would be converted into elementary schools.

DeKalb elementary school closures 

What they're saying:

Converting those middle schools would result in a surplus of 30 elementary schools' worth of seats. To address this, the district proposes closing the following 26 elementary schools:

• Ashford Park
• Bob Mathis
• Brockett
• Browns Mill
• Canby Lane
• Cedar Grove
• Columbia
• Evansdale
• Flat Shoals
• Henderson Mill
• Kelley Lake
• Kingsley
• McLendon
• McNair
• Midvale
• Oak Grove
• Redan
• Robert Shaw Theme
• Rock Chapel
• Rowland
• Stone Mill
• Stone Mountain
• Stoneview
• Toney
• Vanderlyn
• Woodridge

The announcement has sparked immediate concern among parents and educators who fear the loss of community identity and job stability.

"Right now, DeKalb County School District is operating as if we have 110,000 students, but in reality, we have 92,000 students," said Jennifer Caracciolo with DeKalb County Schools. "We are pouring money into empty seats. But right now, what we are looking at is we need to give our students across the county, regardless of where they live, the same opportunities."

For families like Jack Johnson's, whose children attend Oak Grove Elementary, the news came as a blow.

"We feel so connected to this community, and this school has been so great for my kids. We were shocked and surprised," Johnson said.

"Everyone is super engaged. My kid loves it. He has a ton of friends. I hope they are looking at the communities and where they are really engaged together and don't want to see that broken up. Great community and a lot of people would be really disappointed to see it taken away," Johnson added.

Verdallia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, said she hopes the district remains transparent throughout the process as educators worry about their future.

"Teachers are going to be concerned about careers, students, and what it means for students and their livelihood," Turner said. "There's a legitimate concern." 

Turner said she hopes the community holds the district accountable, "We hope the public not only watches the board but gets really engaged because 2/3 of our tax districts go to that school district."

What's next:

The district said it will offer multiple times for parents and guardians to give feedback over the year before the plan is finalized. Currently, there is an online form you can fill out. 

A timeline on the district's website said it plans for the board to vote on a final plan this fall. 

The district intends the process to be gradual, with a final list of recommendations expected to be presented to the Board of Education by the end of the year. Officials stated that teachers will follow the students during the consolidation and closure process.