First look: Miami's public schools lose about 12,000 students
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Preliminary enrollment numbers suggest the Miami-Dade County Public School District has nearly 12,100 fewer students enrolled so far this year compared to last.
Why it matters: Miami is already facing a budget deficit upwards of $50 million, officials have said, and a continued decline in enrollment will mean even fewer dollars, as public schools are funded on a per-pupil basis.
- Continued monetary shortfalls could lead to major changes in the district, including job cuts or hindering the growth of programs like International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement classes.
By the numbers: As of Oct. 18, 236,519 students were enrolled in traditional public schools, compared to 248,949 in October 2024.
- Charter schools saw an increase of about 250 students, according to the district.
- Overall, 323,297 students were enrolled in the district on the first day of school this year, compared to 335,474 at the start of the 2024-25 year.
Yes, but: The numbers from the first days of the school year, which began Aug. 14, don't reflect the final enrollment numbers for the 2025-26 school year.
- Official counts occur throughout the year, with the first happening in October.
The big picture: The decline in traditional public schools comes as enrollment in charter, private and homeschooling across the state has surged in recent years, thanks to the state's expanded voucher program.
- In a news event last week, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said more than 500,000 students are benefiting from the state's scholarship program.
- He said 1.4 million — nearly half of the state's student population — are benefiting from school choice opportunities.