How other systems are managing closed schools

Public school enrollment is falling nationwide, largely because fewer children are being born. Slower immigration and the expansion of school-choice programs are also contributing to the decline. What should districts do with school buildings they no longer need?

Why it matters: Leaving schools vacant can take a toll on the surrounding community. Shootings near 49 closed Chicago schools rose 10%, according to research from the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What school systems are doing:

• Housing—especially senior housing—has emerged as one of the most common uses for former schools. Classrooms can be converted into apartments, while gyms, auditoriums and other large spaces can serve as shared amenities.
• An example: In Paris, Illinois, the former Paris High School became Tiger Senior Apartments, a 42-unit affordable housing complex named after the school’s mascot.
• Other approaches: Districts are converting former schools into early-childhood education centers, or using them to bring community services under one roof. Some are also considering workforce housing to help recruit and retain teachers.

Zoom out: Japan, which has closed more schools than any other country, offers a glimpse of just how creative these conversions can get. One former school is now “Your High School,” an attraction where tourists can spend a day as Japanese students—even eating lunch in the cafeteria.

The bottom line: EBR Schools is writing a master plan for facilities, now that enrollment has dropped here. Other systems are mostly turning over closed schools for housing. Baton Rouge’s schools have a more ambitious idea, though they are in flux. Depending on location, some schools could be reworked to offer training for trades, with other agencies offering support and developers building housing.