Coral Springs officials flag three local schools for close monitoring as Broward County faces potential closures due to declining enrollment
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs officials are keeping a close eye on three local schools as Broward County Public Schools continues to wrestle with declining enrollment, budget shortfalls, and the possibility of more school closures in the coming years. Coral Springs Elementary School, James S. Hunt Elementary School, and Forest Glen Middle School have been flagged as “schools to watch” in the third phase of the district’s “Redefining Our Schools” initiative, according to a presentation prepared for a city commission retreat.
District leaders say enrollment declines have left many schools operating far below their capacity, creating significant funding challenges. Currently, 58 of the district’s 325 schools are under-enrolled, operating at less than 70% of their intended capacity. Of those, 39 are elementary schools, 16 are middle schools, and three are high schools. The shortfall has contributed to a budget deficit of more than $90 million over the past year.
For Coral Springs, the numbers are particularly stark. Coral Springs Elementary currently enrolls 337 students in a building designed to accommodate 871, putting the school at just 38.7% capacity. Projections suggest that figure will drop to 31.7% within the next five years. James S. Hunt Elementary fares only slightly better, with 432 students enrolled out of 841 available seats, or 51.4% capacity, a number expected to decline to 37.3% by the 2030-31 school year. Forest Glen Middle, meanwhile, has 935 students enrolled out of 1,627 seats, representing 57.5% capacity, but projections show enrollment may fall to 47% within five years.
District officials note that low enrollment has prompted both reconfigurations and closures in previous years. Last school year, one school closed entirely, and seven others were reconfigured to address the imbalance between student populations and available space. While discussions for the next school year included potential changes to four Coral Springs middle schools, community feedback prompted the district to explore alternative solutions, such as adding programs designed to boost enrollment.
Even so, debate continues. At least one school board member has reportedly advocated for the closure of Forest Glen Middle, citing its projected long-term decline in enrollment. The “Redefining Our Schools” initiative, school leaders say, is intended as a long-term effort to align facilities with current and future student populations. This means more school buildings in Coral Springs and across the district could face closures, reconfigurations, or repurposing in the coming years.
Local leaders and parents have expressed mixed reactions to the news. Many are concerned about the potential disruption to students’ education and the impact on neighborhoods if schools are shuttered. Others, however, acknowledge the practical realities of funding and enrollment and recognize the need for long-term planning to ensure the district’s financial and academic stability.
As the district prepares to finalize its plans for the next school year, city officials say they will continue monitoring these schools closely, working with the community to evaluate options that balance financial necessity with educational outcomes. For now, Coral Springs Elementary, James S. Hunt Elementary, and Forest Glen Middle remain under scrutiny as the district navigates one of its most challenging periods in decades.
The coming months are likely to bring further updates as the school board moves forward with its plans, leaving residents and parents attentive to decisions that will shape the future of education in Coral Springs for years to come.
