The Atlanta school board has approved a plan that will close or restructure 16 schools beginning in 2027.
Fox 5 Atlanta reports that the plan, known as APS Forward 2040, calls for a mix of closures and repurposing as administrators work to address a budget shortfall and underutilization of school buildings.
District leaders say many campuses are operating far below capacity, which limits academic programs, extracurricular options and specialized services. They also point to rising operational costs, aging facilities and inequities in student opportunities as reasons the changes are necessary.
The board vote followed months of debate over APS Forward 2040. Officials said the restructuring is necessary because of a projected budget shortfall and declining enrollment in several neighborhoods.
Many parents and community leaders have voiced strong opposition. They argue that the proposal disproportionately affects Black communities.
Here are the schools affected by the board's decision:
- Cleveland Elementary School, closing and building repurposed
- Continental Colony Elementary School, closing and repurposed
- Dunbar Elementary School, closing and repurposed
- F. L. Stanton Elementary School, closing and repurposed
- Perkerson Elementary School, closing and merged under the plan
- Peyton Forest Elementary School, closing and repurposed
- Finch Elementary School, closing and merged
- Jackson Primary Elementary School, closing and consolidated into Jackson Main
- Douglass High School 9th Grade Campus, closing and consolidating into the main campus
- KIPP Soul Primary, repurposed
- KIPP Soul Academy, repurposed
- Scott Elementary School, repurposed and consolidated
- Toomer Elementary School Annex, repurposed and annex closed
- Sylvan Middle School, repurposed and converted to an elementary school
- Usher Collier Elementary School, repurposed and consolidated, pending funding
- Smith Intermediate Elementary School, repurposed and consolidated, pending funding.
