WASHINGTON (July 21, 2026) – Over the past four years, school closures have spiked 35% across the country, due to a shrinking youth population and the end of COVID-19 relief funds.
In 2025-26, districts closed more than 1,000 schools, compared to 755 in 2021-22. Federal projections show that public school enrollment has already started to decline from its peak in 2019, and will continue to decline in the coming years. From 2019 to 2031, schools are projected to lose nearly 4 million students.
For more analysis on these developments, please consider Jennifer Clayton, Academic Dean and a Professor of Educational Leadership and Administration. She previously served as the Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and the Interim Director of Accreditation and Assessment for GSEHD. Dr. Clayton's research on leadership development, the educational administration internship, and professional learning for school leaders has appeared in more than 40 publications.
To schedule an interview, please contact Nadia Payne at nadia [dot] payne
gwu [dot] edu (nadia[dot]payne[at]gwu[dot]edu) or GW media at gwmediagwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
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