Declining Enrollment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Memphis, Tennessee, September 19, 2025

News Summary

Student enrollment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools has plunged by over 9% over the last decade, losing more than 10,000 students. This decline is significantly larger than state and national averages. Contributing factors include lower birth rates and a shift towards private schooling. The local community is now discussing potential school closures and alternative educational options as enrollment continues to fall. The educational landscape is further complicated by significant population losses in Shelby County.

Declining Enrollment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools Sparks Discussion on School Closures and Educational Options

Memphis, Tennessee – Student enrollment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) has declined by over 9% in the last decade, losing more than 10,000 students in traditional and charter schools from 2014 to 2024. This decline in enrollment far exceeds state and national averages. Specifically, public school enrollment in Tennessee dropped by just under 2.5% during the same period.

Preliminary data from August indicated that MSCS experienced an additional loss of nearly 2,000 students over the past two school years, although finalized data is yet to be provided by the state. Total enrollment in MSCS has decreased from around 116,000 to 105,000 students over the decade, highlighting a significant trend.

Local Context and Enrollment Trends

In contrast to MSCS, several nearby suburban districts have seen enrollment growth since the 2014 “de-merger” of MSCS. Four out of six of these districts gained approximately 3,000 students. However, two of those districts, Millington and Arlington, had enrollment losses similar to those of MSCS. Contributing factors to the decline in MSCS enrollment include lower birth rates, general population changes, and an increased interest in private schooling and homeschooling options.

In 2024, Shelby County recorded the largest population loss of any city in the U.S., further complicating the educational landscape. Private school enrollment in Tennessee increased by over 23% from 2019 to 2021, significantly outpacing the national increase of 4.3%. Similarly, MSCS charter enrollment, which initially grew before 2020, dropped significantly afterward, losing over 13% of its students post-pandemic. The number of charter schools in MSCS has plateaued since 2017, with new schools opening and others being closed or consolidated.

Implications of Declining Enrollment

The financial implications of declining enrollment are evident, as highlighted by MSCS board member Natalie McKinney, who noted that it affects the funding received from the state’s per-pupil funding model. In light of the ongoing decline, discussions about potential school closures have emerged, with recommendations from a new facilities committee expected this fall.

Notably, around 30 schools in the district are currently overenrolled and outperform less-capacitated schools. The proposed Trump administration’s new universal voucher program may further increase private school enrollment in the coming years, potentially exacerbating the situation for public school districts. Policy analyst Tara Moon has pointed out that immigration factors might also affect enrollment sustainability at high-poverty schools due to restrictive U.S. policies.

Future Outlook

Enrollment changes are characterized as typical for a district of MSCS’s size, according to the school board, which recognizes that student mobility is common, and families frequently move and change schools. As conversations around school closures and educational options continue, the community remains focused on finding sustainable solutions to address the declining enrollment trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Key Features of Enrollment Changes

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Additional Resources

• Fox13 Memphis
• Local Memphis
• Commercial Appeal
• WREG
• Style Blueprint
• Wikipedia: Student Enrollment
• Google Search: Memphis public school enrollment decline
• Google Scholar: Memphis School Enrollment Trends
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public School Enrollment
• Google News: Memphis schools enrollment issues

Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER

The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.