Phased implementation over 6 to 8 years
DeKalb County, Georgia, is considering closing or repurposing at least 27 elementary schools due to declining student enrollment and overcapacity issues.
The school district, residents’ committee, and an external consulting firm discussed the long-term operation plan for school facilities for the past two years and released the draft on the 11th.
Currently, there are about 18,000 empty classrooms in the DeKalb School District, which is more students than the entire nearby Rockdale County. Currently, among 117 public schools, 44 schools have an occupancy rate of less than 70%, and 18 schools have an occupancy rate of more than 100%.
Additionally, if the current trend continues, it is expected that there will be nearly 20,000 empty seats by 2034.
As there are more empty seats, the operating cost burden increases and financial efficiency decreases.
In order to improve the efficiency of operating school facilities that are under or over capacity, the district is considering converting three high schools, including Cedar Grove, Lithonia, and Towers, into middle schools, and is discussing converting four middle schools, including Bethune, Champion Theme, Lithonia, McNair, and Miller Grove, into elementary schools. In addition, 27 elementary schools are considering closing or converting their use.
The DeKalb School District plans to finalize the final plan of the Board of Education within the year and implement it in stages over the next 6 to 8 years.
Reporter Kim Ji-min
date: 2026-02-13 03:17:00
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