As Florida’s population continues to grow, an increasing number of school districts across the state are facing a two-fold challenge: under-capacity schools and declining academic performance.
This issue is particularly acute in urban areas where shifting populations, economic disparity and changing school enrollment have worked to create a mismatch between community needs and educational infrastructure. The result is that many Florida schools are struggling to fill seats while also trying to improve academic outcomes.
Several school districts in Florida, including those in Miami-Dade, Hillsborough and Duval counties, are seeing a significant number of their schools operating under capacity. This increasingly is due to shifting demographics, growing options such as charter schools and expanded school choice programs.
According to the Florida Department of Education, overall public-school enrollment decreased by 1.4% between 2020 and 2021, with many districts struggling to fill classrooms.
“We have seen families moving out of urban cores, an increase in private school enrollment, and a notable rise in home-schooling. This leaves our schools, particularly in the inner city, under-enrolled and often under-resourced, which in turn affects academic performance,” said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Schools in a statement.
The shift away from public schools is leading to a worrying trend of declining academic performance in schools with lower enrollment. Under-capacity schools often struggle to attract and retain high-quality teachers, receive less state funding, and face difficulties maintaining extracurricular activities — all of which can negatively impact student outcomes.
According to the 2023 Florida Statewide Assessment, many schools operating below capacity in urban districts are also performing poorly on standardized tests. Schools in low-income neighborhoods are at risk of underperforming academically due to a lack of resources and community support.
“We have many schools operating under capacity that are also considered low performing,” said Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, in a statement. “The two are closely linked. When schools lose students, they lose funding, which leads to larger class sizes and fewer resources for teachers and students. It’s a vicious cycle that disproportionately affects low-income communities.”
In response to this growing challenge, many school districts in Florida have turned to innovative approaches and are adopting innovative strategies to reverse the trend of under-capacity and low-performing schools. For instance, the Hillsborough County School District has begun a series of school consolidations and magnet program expansions designed to draw students back into under-enrolled schools. The district has also set up targeted academic improvement plans for schools that have traditionally scored low on tests.
In Jacksonville, Duval County Schools launched the “Rising Schools” initiative, which aims to improve the performance of low-capacity schools by offering additional professional development for teachers and creating partnerships with local businesses to provide mentorship programs for students.
“We have to rethink how we use our resources and focus on not just filling seats but making sure students are receiving a quality education,” said Diana Greene, superintendent of Duval County Schools, in an interview with WJXT News4JAX. “This means ensuring our teachers have the support they need and providing students with opportunities that engage and motivate them.”
In addition to local efforts, the Florida Legislature has begun addressing the issue of under-capacity and low-performing schools. Recent legislation, such as the Schools of Hope program, provides additional funding to support struggling schools, specifically targeting those with high rates of poverty and low academic achievement.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of ZIP code, has access to a high-quality education. By providing extra support to schools that are underperforming and struggling with enrollment, we are working to close the achievement gap and give every student the opportunity to succeed,” said Richard Corcoran, former commissioner of Education for Florida, stated during a press conference in Tallahassee.
While the issue of under-capacity and low-performing schools is unlikely to be resolved overnight, Florida’s school districts are taking bold steps to address the challenge. By consolidating schools, enhancing academic programs, and increasing community engagement, districts across the state are striving to improve student outcomes and reverse the trend of under-enrollment.
However, education experts stress that these efforts will require continued focus and investment from both local and state leaders. The future of Florida’s public schools may depend on how effectively districts can adapt to the changing educational landscape.