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- calendar_today November 12, 2026
High School Closure Rates Place Tennessee in Top Ten Nationwide
Tennessee has been identified as having one of the highest average rates of high school closures in the United States. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics ranks Tennessee ninth in high school closure rates across the country, signaling a trend that education experts believe requires immediate attention.
Statistical Overview: Closure Rates and Trends
Between the 2019-20 and 2025-26 school years, Tennessee reportedly closed an average of 1.3% of its schools annually. This places the state above several others, including Texas, in terms of average closures. According to an analysis by Big Local News at Stanford University, a total of 1,156 schools closed nationwide during the last academic year. This broader trend reflects challenges that reach far beyond Tennessee, but it is in the Volunteer State that the issue appears particularly pronounced.
Nashville and Memphis: Specific School Closures
JC Bowman, Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, provided details regarding recent school closures in the state. In Nashville, four schools were closed in 2020. Looking ahead, the state is preparing for further closures, with five more schools already announced to close in Memphis. Additionally, five more closures are being considered this year, suggesting the pattern may persist unless interventions are made.
Contributing Factors: Homeschooling and Demographic Shifts
Bowman attributes much of the rise in school closures to families choosing homeschooling options. He believes that many parents are moving their children to homeschool environments, contributing to declining traditional public school enrollment. A significant factor underlying this shift is the state's lower birth rate, a trend that has been anticipated for some time and is now impacting enrollment numbers.
Impacts on Special Education and Recordkeeping
There are also growing concerns about the implications for special education. Currently, 13% of students in Tennessee participate in special education programs, but Bowman warns that this could reach 27% within the coming years. He notes challenges surrounding the transfer of school records between institutions, further complicating service delivery and tracking for special education students.
School Closure Effects and Financial Implications
Some experts point out that school closures can yield savings for school districts. For example, the four closures in Nashville generated nearly $2 million in savings. Despite these figures, Bowman contends that significant cost savings for taxpayers are unlikely to result from these closures, emphasizing that broader community impacts and challenges for students may outweigh any financial benefits.
Student Impact of School Closures
Research indicates that students affected by school closures may face academic disruptions, sometimes falling behind peers after graduation. This underscores the need for careful consideration and planning as Tennessee continues to address its high rate of school closures, seeking solutions that prioritize student achievement and well-being.
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Source: wkrn.com.
