Up to 9 San Jose Unified elementary schools could close. Here are the options

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Tired Thrush

San Jose Unified to Consider Closing Up to 9 Elementary Schools Amid Declining Enrollment and Budget Woes

The San Jose Unified School District is set to consider closing up to nine elementary schools next year as part of its effort to tackle years of declining student enrollment and budget constraints. The decision comes after the district has seen a 20% decline in student enrollment since before the pandemic, with roughly 6,000 students lost.

Superintendent Nancy Albarrán said that while seeing a school's name on the list of potential closures is "deeply emotional" for families, she believes that thoughtful changes can help ensure strong, sustainable programs for both current and future students. The district has been working on its "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative, which aims to evaluate its elementary schools' enrollment, staffing, climate, programs, and instruction to determine which schools need to be closed or consolidated.

The list of potential closures includes nearly half of the district's 26 elementary schools, with some serving fewer than 350 students. The smallest school has only 200 students, while the largest serves over 800 students. Three options have been presented by the Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee: closing nine schools, relocating one, or closing eight schools.

Under Option 1, nine schools would be closed, including Almaden Elementary, Anne Darling Elementary, Canoas Elementary, Gardner Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Rachel Carson Elementary, Selma Olinder Elementary, Simonds Elementary, and Walter L. Bachrodt Elementary. Meanwhile, Hammer Montessori at Ernesto Galarza Elementary would be relocated to Rachel Carson Elementary.

Option 2 proposes closing nine schools, including Empire Gardens Elementary, Gardener Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Rachel Carson Elementary, Reed Elementary, Selma Olinder Elementary, Terrell Elementary, Walter L. Bachrodt Elementary, and Williams Elementary. Option 3 suggests closing eight schools, with the list of affected schools being slightly different.

The district has created a school locator for parents to see which elementary school their child would attend under each option. If a school is closed, students would either move to the same school or be reassigned to new schools based on attendance boundaries. The district will provide no-cost access to afterschool activities and bus transportation for affected students.

Schools that are proposed to be closed will receive extra funding to support the transition, while schools receiving new students will also get an increase in funding to support integration. Additionally, these schools will host open houses and have priority for campus improvement projects.
 
🤔 I don't buy it... 20% decline in student enrollment since before the pandemic? That sounds way too convenient. Where's the data from? Have they done any studies on what's causing this decline? Is it just a coincidence that schools with lower attendance are being considered for closure?

And what's up with the "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative? Sounds like a bunch of buzzwords to me. How do we know this isn't just a fancy way of saying "we're gonna close some schools and hope no one notices"?

I'm also not convinced by the idea that closing schools will somehow make them stronger programs. We've seen it happen before, and schools end up getting abandoned or failing after closure. What's to stop this from happening again?

Can someone please provide some actual data or research on these proposed closures? I need to see some concrete evidence before I can accept this as a legitimate solution. 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm reading this news about San Jose Unified School District planning to close some elementary schools 🤔... it's really tough on families, you know? Losing a school can be like losing a part of your community 💕. But at the same time, I get why they're doing it - declining enrollment and budget issues are no joke 📉.

I think what's interesting is that they're trying to re-evaluate schools through this initiative "Schools of Tomorrow" 🌟... which means they'll be looking at things like staffing, climate, programs, and instruction too 🔍. It sounds like it might actually help them make some tough decisions about which schools need to close or change.

I also appreciate that they're offering support for families who will lose a school - no-cost afterschool activities and bus transportation are big wins 🎉. And the extra funding for schools getting new students is a nice touch 💸. It's not an easy situation, but I hope it all works out for everyone involved 🤞
 
omg 😱 i'm literally shocked!!!! how can they even think about closing schools 🤔?? my cousin's kid goes to Almaden Elementary and she's always raving about it 🤗 the thought of losing that school is just devastating 😭 i know some people are saying it's a necessary evil due to budget constraints and all that 💸 but i'm just not ready for this 🙅‍♀️ what's going on with our education system?!?! 😩 can't they find another way to save money without affecting the kids 🤷‍♀️ I'll be keeping a close eye on this situation and will definitely be attending those open houses 📅
 
the sad state of education 🤕. 9 elementary schools closing already? what's next? more consolidation? it's like they're just throwing darts at the schools 🎯. can't believe the district is even considering closing a school that serves fewer than 350 students... what's going on with our priorities? 🙄
 
🤔 The proposed closure of up to 9 elementary schools in San Jose Unified is a pragmatic response to declining enrollment and budget constraints 📉. While it's indeed "deeply emotional" for families, Superintendent Albarrán's emphasis on evaluating schools' viability via the "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative highlights a commitment to evidence-based decision-making 💡. The proposed options aim to minimize disruption while ensuring strong programs for current students 📚. However, it's concerning that nearly half of the district's elementary schools are at risk 🤯. Perhaps more could be explored to address underlying issues, such as gentrification and changing neighborhood dynamics, rather than solely focusing on enrollment numbers 🗺️. Nonetheless, any measures taken should prioritize supporting students' academic and social well-being 👫.
 
man... closing up to 9 elementary schools in San Jose sounds like a huge decision 🤕. I'm all for making sure the schools are sustainable but it's gonna be tough on families and communities who have grown attached to those schools 🌟. I think the district is trying to do what's best, but it's hard not to feel emotional about it 😔. What really gets me is that some of those schools serve fewer than 350 students... like, what even is a 'small' school? 💖 Anyway, I hope they get it right and prioritize the schools with more students who need them most 🤞. It's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out 👀
 
🤔 I feel so bad for all the families who might lose their child's school, but at the same time, 20% decline in student enrollment is like, woah... I mean, I get it, budget woes are no joke. 🤑 But closing schools feels like a big deal, especially with those tiny schools serving fewer than 350 students - can you imagine? 🤯 The "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative sounds legit tho, evaluating all that stuff to determine which schools need help... might be for the best, I guess? 🤷‍♀️ Still, gotta feel bad for the kids who'd have to switch schools mid-year or something. Hope they get a smooth transition and all that jazz 💕
 
Man I feel bad for those families whose kids could end up having to switch schools... 9 schools closing is a lot and it's not like the school district can control birth rates or anything 😔. It seems like they're trying to find a balance between keeping the good ones open and cutting costs, which is super tough. I hope they figure out a way to make this transition smoother for everyone involved 👍
 
OMG u guys I just heard about this 🤯 San Jose Unified is thinking of closin 9 elementary schools like wth what's goin on?! I know the pandemic hit hard but 20% decline in enrollment since then is still crazy 🤷‍♀️ I feel for all the families whose kids would be affected by this 🤕 my niece went to one of those schools and she loved it 📚

I don't think closin schools is the answer tho 🤔 I mean what about all the little kids who need their teachers and playgrounds and after school activities? 😩 And what about the new students who would be movin in from other areas? wouldn't they deserve a good elementary school too? 🤷‍♀️

I'm all for consolidatin schools and stuff but not closin so many at once 🤯 that's just gonna hurt more people I think we need to find a way to make those "Schools of Tomorrow" actually happen and not just close some schools as an option 📝
 
I dont no about this school closure thingy... 🤔 26 elementary schools, that's a lot of kids being sent elsewhere 🚫. I mean, im sure its all about cost cutting & budget woes but cant they think of other ways to save money? Like maybe reducing admin staff or somethin 🤑. And what about the smaller schools, like Canoas Elementary with only 350 students? It seems like its just gonna be a big ol mess for those families 💔. And whats with the relocation option? Hammer Montessori goin from Ernesto Galarza to Rachel Carson Elementary? Thats a loooong way 🚗. And what about the kids who are currently in the smaller schools, dont they deserve a say in this matter? Shouldnt their parents be consulted more thoroughly 👥
 
Ugh 🤔 I dont get why they gotta close so many schools tho? Like, what's wrong with a lil overcrowding? Kids need more choices and extracurriculars, not fewer 😒. And its like, school closures are always the answer nowdays... whats next? Closing libraries or community centers? 📚😕
 
omg u guys cant even imagine wat it means 4 families w/ kids who might lose their school nxt yr!! 😱 san jose unified has 2 think about closin up 9 elem schools cuz enrollment's down by like 20% 📉 & its just not sustainable no more 💸 so i hope they find a soln that dont hurt ppl 💕 but atm im still tryna process this news... u think it'll affect the kids most??
 
omg u guys can't even imagine what it's like 4 kids who r about 2 b relocated 🤕📚 my heart is literally broken just thinkin bout all those cute little faces gettin mixed up w/ new schools its soooo sad but at the same time super pragmatic i guess u gotta do wht needs 2 b done if u wanna keep those programs goin 😊👍 lets hope it wks out and they find a way 2 make this transition smoother 4 everyone 🤞💕
 
omg this is so messed up 🤯! closing 9 elementary schools is a huge deal for families especially those with younger kids who are still adjusting to new surroundings. i feel bad for the staff who might lose their jobs or be relocated 🤕. on the other hand, 20% decline in student enrollment since before pandemic is alarming and needs attention ASAP 💔. san jose unified school district should really think about long-term effects of these closures... what's gonna happen to those schools' futures? won't that affect the community & local economy too? 🤔
 
I'm feeling like this is gonna happen all over the country... 🤕 Remember when we used to worry about school closings and how it would affect our childhood? Now it's not just a few schools, but an entire district having to make tough decisions. San Jose Unified is one of those districts trying to adapt to changing times... I mean, who doesn't love the idea of 'Schools of Tomorrow'? It sounds like something straight outta 90s edu-reform talk, you know? But, at the end of the day, it's just trying to save money and make sure our kids get a good education. Fingers crossed they figure it out without breaking too many hearts... 🤞
 
OH MY GOSH, THIS IS SO CONCERNING!!! I MEAN, WHO WANTS TO SEE THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL CLOSED DOWN??? IT'S ALREADY HARD ENOUGH FOR PARENTS TO KEEP UP WITH SCHOOL SCHEDULES AND ACTIVITIES, BUT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLE CLOSURES THAT COULD AFFECT HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS!!! I FEEL BAD FOR THE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE SCHOOLS OR MOVE AWAY FROM THEIR FRIENDS!

AND IT'S NOT JUST THE STUDENTS, OKAY??? THIS IS ALSO ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE ECONOMY!!! CLOSE schools MEAN LESS BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT Rely ON THOSE SCHOOL SYSTEMS! IT'S A CYCLICAL THING, BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW THESE DECISIONS WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY!!!

BUT I GUESS WHAT REALLY GETS ME IS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, WHEN WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE OUR KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD EDUCATION AND RESOURCES!!! IT FEELS LIKE THE DISTRICT IS PLAYING CATCH-UP, BUT ALSO, CAN WE NOT JUST TRY TO PREVENT DECLINES IN ENROLLMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE???
 
🤔 I feel so bad for the families who might lose their school 🤕. Closing schools is never easy, but it sounds like the district has thought this through carefully. 20% decline in student enrollment since before pandemic is crazy 🤯. I think it's good they're considering relocation options too, Hammer Montessori at Ernesto Galarza Elementary would be a huge loss for that community 😔.

I'm all about supporting our schools and teachers, but sometimes hard decisions need to be made 💪. Hopefully the kids who lose their school will still have access to great resources and afterschool activities 🤝. It's not ideal, but I trust the district is doing what's best for the kids 👍.
 
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