Miami‑Dade officials evaluate shutting four schools in the region.
Miami‑Dade County Public Schools held a board discussion on Wednesday about potentially closing four schools. The proposal is part of a plan to revise how the district sets school boundaries, handles choice options, and makes long‑term facility decisions.
The schools being considered are Lenora Braynon Smith Elementary in Liberty City, Miami Springs Middle School, Pine Villa Elementary near Goulds, and Richmond Heights Middle School in the unincorporated area of the same name. The district’s leadership cited declining enrollment and shifting demographics as factors driving the review.
Board member Luisa Santos, who introduced the planning item, said the goal is to increase transparency and involve families more in decisions about closures, mergers, or new openings. She noted that 65 percent of students now attend magnet or choice programs rather than neighborhood schools, prompting a need to update the planning process.
No final decision will be made until the next full board meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The outcomes will affect thousands of students across the county.