School Closures

Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025.
Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025. For students, fires and other natural disasters tend to exacerbate the already-negative affects of being out of school.
Jae C. Hong/AP
School & District Management Extreme Weather Disruptions Compound Students' Lost Learning
Fires, storms, and other natural disasters can disrupt learning beyond just missed instruction. Planning can help schools recover faster.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 2, 2025
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4 min read
Flu and cold season concept: student at desk with tissues and blowing their nose.
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Student Well-Being Schools Close as Flu and Other Respiratory Illnesses Spike
Some schools are temporarily closing to stop the spread of infection—or because too many staff are sick.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 12, 2025
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4 min read
Students in a combined second- and third-grade class talk in pairs.
Students in a combined 2nd and 3rd grade class talk in pairs.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
School & District Management Thinking About Closing a School? What to Consider Besides Enrollment
It's not a given that closing a building will result in substantial savings.
Caitlynn Peetz, January 28, 2025
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6 min read
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024.
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024. The district is embarking on a yearlong process to assess which of its smaller schools may need to close.
Matt Rourke/AP
School & District Management As It Closes Schools, This District Wants to Avoid the Mistakes of the Past
The district wants to move slowly and not make closure decisions based on enrollment alone.
Caitlynn Peetz, January 24, 2025
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7 min read
A pair of snow people greet motorists along Union Boulevard as a storm packing heavy snow envelopes the intermountain West on March 17, 2022, in Greenwood Village, Colo.
A pair of snow people greet motorists along Union Boulevard as a storm packing heavy snow envelopes the intermountain West on March 17, 2022, in Greenwood Village, Colo.
David Zalubowski/AP
Teaching Profession Teachers, Do You Check Your Work Email on Snow Days?
We know how students feel about snow days. But how do teachers see them?
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 13, 2025
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3 min read
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2025.
Ethan Swope/AP
School Climate & Safety As Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles, Educators Offer Help and Refuge
As wildfires rip through the region, educators band together for support as they work to help students and families.
Brooke Schultz & Ileana Najarro, January 9, 2025
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9 min read
Rosie Henson, from left, Charlotte Hall and Jaya Demni play around in the snow near Schifferstadt Museum in Frederick, Md.,on Monday, Jan. 6. 2025.
Rosie Henson, from left, Charlotte Hall and Jaya Demni play around in the snow near Schifferstadt Museum in Frederick, Md.,on Jan. 6. 2025.
Ric Dugan/The Frederick News-Post via AP
School & District Management Are Snow Days Making a Comeback?
While some school districts use remote learning days when wintry weather strikes, others are reverting to—or sticking with—snow days.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 9, 2025
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4 min read
A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. Torrential rain from Hurricane Helene left many area streets flooded. In addition, traffic lights are inoperable due to no power, with downed power lines and trees.
A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. Torrential rain from Hurricane Helene left area streets flooded, and strong winds downed power lines and trees. Schools have become hubs to support their communities as recovery begins.
Kathy Kmonicek/AP
School & District Management Educators Rush to Get Food and Shelter to Their Students After Hurricane Helene
Districts slammed by an unprecedented natural disaster have become shelter zones for their communities.
Olina Banerji & Brooke Schultz, September 30, 2024
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7 min read
Illustration: Sorry we are closed sign hanging outside a glass door.
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion Enrollment Down. Achievement Lackluster. Should This School Close?
An equity researcher describes how coming district-reorganization decisions can help preserve Black communities in central cities.
Francis A. Pearman, June 26, 2024
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5 min read
Desks and chairs are stacked in an empty classroom after the permanent closure of Queen of the Rosary Catholic Academy in Brooklyn borough of New York on Aug. 6, 2020.
Desks and chairs are stacked in an empty classroom after the permanent closure of Queen of the Rosary Catholic Academy in Brooklyn borough of New York on Aug. 6, 2020. A new study examines the long-term effects on students whose schools close.
Jessie Wardarski/AP
School & District Management The Harm of School Closures Can Last a Lifetime, New Research Shows
The short-term effects on students when their schools close have been well documented. New research examines the long-term impact.
Libby Stanford, June 18, 2024
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5 min read
Image of a neighborhood map with markers on a school building.
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School & District Management When Does a School Closure Become Discriminatory?
Advocates push for federal guidance on protecting students' civil rights in school closure decisions.
Evie Blad, June 5, 2024
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6 min read
A woman and stands outside with her arm on the back of a boy as they look up at the sky while wearing special paper glasses made for viewing a solar eclipse.
Jackie Johnson and her son Bradley Johnson, 9, watch a partial solar eclipse at the Frost Science Museum on Oct. 14, 2023, in downtown Miami. In 2024, some districts are planning to delay or cancel school on the day of a total eclipse, out of safety concerns.
Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP
School & District Management The Eclipse Is Great for Learning. But It's Tough on School Logistics
A total solar eclipse will cross a large swath of the country on April 8, sparking tough management choices for leaders of the districts in its path.
Evie Blad, March 27, 2024
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5 min read
Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill celebrates with fans during a victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill celebrates with young fans during a victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII, and several districts in the region canceled school the day of the parade.
Colin E. Braley/AP
School & District Management Super Bowl Districts Face Super-Sized Call: Should They Cancel Class for a Victory Parade?
Concerned about absenteeism, district leaders face tough decisions about days off for community events.
Evie Blad, February 8, 2024
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5 min read
Two hands put together the pieces of an arrow puzzle that resembles a red brick schoolhouse.
iStock/Getty Images
School & District Management When Schools Merge, Principals Must Forge a New Culture. Here’s How
Principals must focus on building new relationships, inside and outside the school.
Olina Banerji, February 8, 2024
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7 min read
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