The Spring Branch (Texas) school board has voted to close Northbrook Middle School--the fourth school closure in the district's north side in four years.
The Houston Chronicle reports that declining enrollment is the main reason for the closure. Since 2020, student numbers at Northbrook Middle have dropped from 946 to 465, according to Texas Education Agency data.
"We're at a point where we have to be able to streamline our resources and really be able to provide kids what they need," says Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. "We have to be responsible with the resources that we have...and we don't want to spite our kids because they're [at] a small middle school and we can't afford to provide resources for them."
With the closure, Northbrook students will be rezoned to Spring Oaks, Spring Woods and Landrum middle schools.
The board's decision has drawn opposition from community members who see the closure as part of a pattern of unequal treatment toward those living in Spring Branch's north side.
Interstate 10 divides the district along socioeconomic lines, and many Hispanic and working-class families living north of the highway.
In 2023, Spring Branch closed Treasure Forest Elementary School and the Panda Path School, along with three charter school programs: KIPP Courage at Landrum Middle, YES Prep Northbrook Middle and YES Prep Northbrook High. In 2024, the district closed Spring Shadows Elementary. All of those closed schools and programs were north of I-10.
