Florida School Districts Report Enrollment Declines Driving Budget Concerns

Several Florida school districts are experiencing significant drops in student enrollment for the 2025-26 school year, impacting both public and charter schools. Palm Beach County saw a 3.4% decline, losing over 6,000 students, with many schools operating below 70% capacity, raising concerns about potential closures similar to those being considered in neighboring Broward County, which lost over 10,000 students and has 28 schools below 70% capacity. Broward County Public Schools experienced a 4.7% decrease overall, with district schools facing a sharper decline than charter schools, particularly in kindergarten and fifth grade. Bay District Schools reported a drop of nearly 500 students from last year, primarily at the elementary level, with officials attributing declines to factors such as families moving, choosing homeschooling or virtual options, and the district's earlier start date. Despite the enrollment decreases, Bay District Schools have planned for the shortfall financially, utilizing reserve funds to offset the loss in funding tied to student numbers. These trends highlight ongoing challenges in Florida education systems related to enrollment and resource allocation amid shifting demographic and family choices.