Coral Springs school district officials plan public meeting to address declining middle school enrollment and discuss future options for students and families
Coral Springs, Florida – School district leaders in Broward County are preparing to engage the community in discussions about declining enrollment at several middle schools in Coral Springs. A public meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 25 at Coral Springs High School, giving parents, educators, and local residents an opportunity to share their input on potential changes affecting Coral Springs Middle, Forest Glen Middle, Ramblewood Middle, and Sawgrass Springs Middle schools, as well as Margate Middle.
District officials have identified these five schools as part of the northwest middle school cluster. Three of the schools—Coral Springs Middle, Forest Glen, and Margate—already operate below what school authorities consider optimal capacity. Officials define underenrolled schools as those operating below 70% capacity.
According to official enrollment counts conducted on Aug. 22, Coral Springs Middle had 1,022 students in a building designed to accommodate 1,904, leaving the school at just 54% capacity. Forest Glen Middle fared slightly better, with 941 students in a 1,627-student capacity building, though the school lost 89 students compared to the same count last year. Margate Middle experienced the steepest decline, dropping 145 students to 816, despite a building capacity of 1,366.
Meanwhile, Ramblewood Middle and Sawgrass Springs Middle currently remain over the underenrollment threshold, but district projections indicate that both schools could fall below capacity within the next five years. Ramblewood’s enrollment is 1,050 in a 1,316-seat facility, while Sawgrass Springs holds 927 students in a building that seats 1,220, representing a 55-student decline from the prior year.
School officials say the meeting is part of a broader strategy to gather input before making potential changes, which could include school closures, consolidations, adjustments to grade configurations, program additions, or even selling or leasing facilities. “We want community members to have a voice as we navigate this challenge and ensure the district continues to provide quality education for all students,” district leaders said in a statement.
A detailed timeline shows that district officials plan to hold eight public meetings across Broward County, along with consultations with municipal leaders in affected zones. A boundary committee is expected to be appointed soon to narrow down the list of schools under review. By Oct. 7, officials aim to finalize the schools to be addressed in subsequent public discussions.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn is scheduled to release his recommendations to the school board by early December. The school board will then consider these recommendations and is expected to vote on them during its Jan. 13 meeting. District leaders stress that all options remain on the table, emphasizing a balanced approach that considers student needs, community input, and long-term enrollment trends.
Community members attending the Sept. 25 meeting will have an opportunity to learn about enrollment data, capacity issues, and potential options for addressing underutilization. District officials encourage parents, guardians, and local stakeholders to participate, noting that thoughtful dialogue will be essential in shaping the future of Coral Springs middle schools.
As Broward County continues to monitor shifting student populations, school leaders acknowledge the challenge of adapting to declining enrollment while maintaining strong educational outcomes. The upcoming meeting represents a key step in ensuring transparency and public involvement in decisions that could impact students, families, and neighborhoods across Coral Springs and surrounding areas.
