Public school closures are increasing across Texas as districts face historic enrollment declines and mounting financial pressure.
Despite Texas’ continued population growth, public schools lost 76,000 students in the past school year—the first nonpandemic decline in nearly four decades. Districts across the state are consolidating and shuttering campuses in response to the decline, setting the stage for major structural changes to Texas’ education infrastructure.
“There’s a lot of emotions and history tied to these schools,” said Monica Ryan, board president of Judson ISD, which voted to close four campuses amid a budget shortfall. Ryan is one of many district officials across the state citing enrollment declines and budget pressures as reasons for the closures.
The closures are widespread. Fort Worth ISD plans to close 18 campuses over the next four years, while Houston ISD will close 12 next year and Austin ISD 10. Arlington, McKinney, Aldine, and many other districts are pursuing similar plans.
In a May 2026 report, Texas 2036 pointed to parents increasingly choosing private or homeschooling options as a big reason for the decline. As families move away from traditional public schools, districts are shifting budgets and long-term planning.
“Parents are paying attention to the weekly barrage of failures across the education system,” Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation told Texas Scorecard. She pointed to schools’ failures to adequately serve students, especially those with special needs, to shield classrooms from political agendas, and to protect students from predators.
Lower birth rates have further accelerated enrollment losses. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told lawmakers, “a lot of this is a decline in birth rates that has happened that is working its way through the system as students age up.”
While elementary schools absorbed the majority of the losses, the empty desks are expected to ripple upward through higher grades.
School choice programs could also affect future trends.
Beginning next year, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program (TEFA) created through Senate Bill 2 will provide $1 billion in education savings accounts for eligible families seeking alternatives to public schools. Around 102,000 families have been approved, though it remains to be seen how many will use the funds.
“TEFA provides a lifeline to parents who see or have experienced any of those failures,” Mandy Drogin said. “I hope every parent in the state of Texas analyzes the education performance of their assigned school and makes the best decision to ensure their child gets a high-quality education that is value aligned.”
While enrollment losses are driving many closure decisions, financial pressures extend beyond declining student counts. Many districts are also carrying substantial long-term debt obligations, limiting their flexibility as enrollment fluctuates. Texas school districts owe a total of $234.2 billion in bond debt.
As part of addressing financial concerns, in June 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2, a $8.5 billion public education funding package to increase teacher salaries and pay for other expenses.
However, according to a TPPF debt report from April 2025, only about 40 percent of money intended for schools actually reaches the classroom. The rest “is diverted to administrative costs, lobbyists, consultants, contractors, and school district debt, which results in inefficient resource distribution and diminished educational outcomes.”
The spending priorities of some districts currently in debt also have drawn scrutiny.
In one instance, Crowley ISD, already carrying $2.7 billion in debt, recently approved a $150 million track-and-field complex doubling as a concert venue. The district holds a C accountability rating, with only 45 percent of students reading at grade level and 28 percent doing math at grade level.
Looking ahead, education consultant Bob Templeton warned that in the next three to four years the state’s public schools could lose an additional 400,000 students, leading to major structural shifts in how Texas public schools operate.
