DeKalb County considering redistricting scenario that would close dozens of schools, convert others
The DeKalb County School District is considering closing dozens of schools and converting others as it works on a redistricting plan.
For years, the county has worked to build new schools to keep up with enrollment growth, but they've faced the opposite problem recently.
Currently, district officials said some schools are overcrowded while many seats are being left empty in others.
According to the district, only 83% of elementary seats and 79% of middle school seats were filled during the 2024 to 2025 school year. For the same time, there were about 4,000 open seats in high schools.
The scenario, titled the "Student Assignment Project," was released to the public on Thursday.
The initial recommendation calls for three high schools, Cedar Grove, Lithonia, and Towers, to be converted in middle schools. Five middle schools, Bethune, Champion Theme, Lithonia, McNair, and Miller Grove, will turn into elementary schools. For Champion Theme Middle School, officials say it would move to a new location.
Potential DeKalb County school closures
Cedar Grove Middle School would close because of "cascading use and excess elementary capacity in the area," according to the scenario.
The proposal lists 26 elementary schools that would be closed.
- Ashford Park Elementary School
- Bob Mathis Elementary School
- Brockett Elementary School
- Browns Mills Elementary School
- Canby Lane Elementary School
- Cedar Grove Elementary School
- Columbia Elementary School
- Evansdale Elementary School
- Flat Shoals Elementary School
- Henderson Mill Elementary School
- Kelly Lake Elementary School
- Kingsley Elementary School
- McLendon Elementary School
- Discover Learning Academy
- Midvale Elementary School
- Oak Grove Elementary School
- Redan Elementary School
- Robert Shaw Theme Elementary School
- Rock Chapel Elementary School
- Rowland Elementary School
- Stone Mill Elementary School
- Stone Mountain Elementary School
- Stoneview Elementary School
- Toney Elementary School
- Vanderlyn Elementary School
- Woodridge Elementary School
Changing demographics affecting school district
District leaders say families having fewer children and more empty nesters staying in the area have caused enrollment to drop.
"Right now, we are operating as if we are a 110 thousand student school district. But in reality, we are only serving 92 thousand students," said Jennifer Caracciolo, the DeKalb County School District's deputy chief communications director.
The district says students perform better when resources are concentrated. Fewer schools could allow programs like art, music, and athletics to flourish, as well as improve access to social workers, they argue.
Officials also pointed to school bus routes, saying they will be more efficient under the plan.
While the scenarios have been released, DeKalb County authorities say that they are simply "conversation starters" to hear from parents, faculty, and others in the community. That feedback will then shape the next scenario.
If implemented, the changes would be done gradually over a six to eight-year period.
You can learn more about the process and send in your thoughts to the survey here.
The DeKalb County School District will host virtual and in-person meetings in late February and March to discuss the scenarios.
You can see a full schedule below.
Virtual Meetings
All virtual meetings will take place at noon outside of March 25, which is at 3 p.m.
- Feb. 23 - Central Region
- Feb. 24 - Southwest Region
- Feb. 25 - Southeast Region
- Feb. 26 - North Region
- March 23 - North Region
- March 24 - Southeast Region
- March 25 - Southwest Region
- March 26 - Central Region
In-Person Meetings
All in-person meetings will begin at 6 p.m.
- Feb. 23 - AIC
- Feb. 24 - Cedar Grove High School
- Feb. 25 - Martin Luther King Jr. High School
- Feb. 26 - Cross Keys High School
- March 23 - Lakeside High School
- March 24 - Columbia High School
- March 25 - Martin Luther King Jr. High School
- March 26 - AIC
