Tulsa Public Schools recently announced it will close 17 school sites after the 2026-27 school year as the district responds to declining enrollment, excess building capacity, and a $12 million budget shortfall. The Board of Education voted 6-1 on Oct. 19 to approve the consolidation plan, which includes 14 elementary schools, two middle schools, and one alternative program.

According to Tulsa Public Schools’ announcement, the district is trying to bring the number of schools it operates into closer alignment with current enrollment while concentrating staff and academic resources at remaining campuses.

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson said in an Oct. 19 statement:

“By voting tonight to consolidate 17 schools, TPS is better positioned to serve every student with more direct services, put highly qualified educators in every classroom, and provide every young person with the educational experience they deserve. These changes will take effect for the 2027-28 school year.”

The decision follows similar moves by districts around the country. AS&U recently examined the issue in its explainer, “What is school consolidation—and when should districts consider it?”, which looks at how enrollment, capacity utilization, facility condition, operating costs, transportation, and educational programming can factor into closure decisions.

Enrollment decline leaves buildings underused

Tulsa Public Schools has lost more than 5,000 students over roughly the past five to six years, according to reporting by KOSU, while the district reported enrollment of 32,450 students as of October 2025. All 17 sites selected for the upcoming closures enroll fewer than 400 students and use less than 65% of their available building space, KOSU noted.

The schools slated to close are Anderson, Bell, Greenwood Leadership Academy, Key, Unity Learning Academy, Marshall, Springdale, Dolores Huerta, Sequoyah, Hoover, Mitchell, Peary, Kerr, and Robertson elementary schools; Central Middle School and Thoreau Demonstration Academy; and Tulsa MET Middle and High School.

District officials evaluated enrollment, enrollment trends, building size and utilization, location, and safe walking routes when developing the closure list. Student outcomes, programs, demographics, and individual school needs also were considered.

The announcement shares similarity with AS&U’s recent reporting on Olathe Public Schools, where six schools will close as enrollment declines and excess capacity increases operating costs, and in Adams 12 Five Star Schools, where about 4,800 elementary seats are unused.

Closures projected to save $11.1 million annually

Tulsa expects the school closures to produce about $11.1 million in annual savings beginning in 2027-28. District leaders also have been directed to identify another $1.5 million in central-office savings.

The district says operating smaller schools has made it harder to direct staffing and programs efficiently. For example, 6,119 students at 21 schools currently don’t have dedicated art and music teachers, according to KOSU. District leaders say consolidation should make it possible to provide dedicated art and music teachers to all elementary students while preserving teachers and expanding access to academic opportunities.