New Orleans could close schools as student enrollment declines

By the numbers: New Orleans' school enrollment has declined by about 3,500 since 2020, Fazio reports, with another drop of 3,800 anticipated in the next three years.

• This school year, New Orleans has more than 3,800 open seats in kindergarten through 8th grade, and another 1,600 high school seats open.

Between the lines: School closures tend to be unpopular in New Orleans, where school pride lasts long after graduation.

• When Algiers Charter recently announced plans to close L.B. Landry due to declining enrollment, WWNO reported that hundreds of alumni protested the move. So did Rep. Troy Carter.

What we're watching: NOLA PS Superintendent Fateama Fulmore is drawing up plans to close, restructure or consolidate schools, which she'll present to the school board next month, Fazio reports.

• With school applications already open, families are already applying to school for the 2027-2028 year. They will have time to update applications, should they choose any school identified for closure, school board vice president Olin Parker tells Axios New Orleans.