Miami-Dade, Broward consider school closures as enrollments decline
The five largest school districts in Florida, including Miami-Dade and Broward, collectively we lost approximately 67,000 non-contract students From the 2023-2024 academic year to the 2025-2026 academic year.
That’s according to figures compiled by the Lee County school district as part of a discussion in May about “budget realignment.” Numbers are as of February 2026 and refer to total membership of grades PreK-12.
Miami-Dade Public Schools lost 6,947 non-charter students and gained 1,331 charter students from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025. From 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, the district lost 15,288 non-charter students and gained 428 charter students. In February, there were 232,617 charter students and 86,802 contract students enrolled in the district for the 2025-2026 year.
Meanwhile, in Broward, the district lost 9,512 non-charter students and gained 68 charter school students from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025. From 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, the district lost 6,955 non-charter students and 1,328 charter students. There were 185,864 non-contract students enrolled in the district at the beginning of 2025-2026, as well as 48,460 contract students.
Broward and Miami-Dade school districts collectively lost 38,702 non-charter students from 2023-2024 through 2025-2026.
Miami-Dade County may close or repurpose nine schools for 2026-2027 academic year
Miami-Dade County Public Schools plans to close or repurpose nine schools ahead of the next academic year.
According to NBC6Due to declining enrollment, the school board will vote in June on a proposal to close or repurpose nine schools. In January, Broward County School Board Inspector Dr. Howard Hepburn decided to close seven public schools, calling it one of several “cost-saving measures” needed for a district he said had lost more than 40,000 students, or more than $30 million in revenue, in the past 10 years.
Miami-Dade County School District 313,220 students are enrolled At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, there was a decrease of approximately 13,000 compared to the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. It’s a fall WLRN previously reported It is often attributed to Florida’s expanded voucher program, which has allowed charter and private schools to expand rapidly. But Miami-Dade County officials said the decline was due to fewer immigrant families moving to South Florida.
Broward County considering more than 10 school closures for 2027-2028 academic year
One May 12 school management workshopInspector Dr. Howard Hepburn, board member Dr. In response to Zeman’s question, Allen said the Broward School District could close more than 10 schools in the 2027-2028 academic year.
“If what we’re trying to do is create the most efficient and effective school district possible, what would be the number of schools overall that you would want to repurpose over the course of that cycle?” he asked.
The closures are part of ongoing efforts to close, consolidate or repurpose campuses in the region in response to rapid enrollment declines.
“You always get tough questions, don’t you Doctor?” “I don’t want to scare the public, but I would definitely say over 10,” Hepburn said.
No specific school was mentioned. In January, Broward County School Board Hepburn decided to close seven public schools, calling it one of several “cost-saving measures” needed for a district that she said has lost more than 40,000 students, or more than $30 million in revenue, in the past 10 years.
Sarah Perkel is the South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content delivered straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up for our free newsletter. Florida TODAY.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Nearly 40,000 students have left Miami-Dade, Broward schools since 2023
