Nov 6, 2025 - Education

Cleveland plans massive school consolidation

Sam Allard

Photo illustration of Warren Morgan with a cloud over his head. — Warren Morgan says consolidation is necessary to stabilize CMSD finances. Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios; Photo: Sam Allard/Axios

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District plans to close or merge 39 schools under a sweeping consolidation plan unveiled Wednesday.

Why it matters: The controversial move, more than a year in the making, would save the district at least $30 million per year — stabilizing finances amid enrollment drops and a looming budget deficit that could reach $150 million.

CEO Warren Morgan says the plan will expand academic and extracurricular options while closing underused buildings.

By the numbers: CMSD enrollment has fallen by half since 2000, from about 70,000 to 34,000 students.

Under the plan, the district would go from 61 PreK-8 schools to 45, and from 27 high schools to 14.

About 16,000 students would be affected.

The fine print: Morgan said some schools would vacate their current buildings and merge with nearby "welcoming schools."

Four specialty schools would have their entire programs moved to a newer building.
And the specialized high schools that operate on one campus would unify — for example, the Cleveland School of Science & Medicine, Cleveland School of Architecture and Design and Cleveland Early College High School would all become John Hay High School.

What's next: Public hearings are planned for Nov. 19 and Dec. 2, with the school board expected to vote Dec. 9.

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Cleveland plans massive school consolidation

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