US public school enrollment decline

Public school enrollment in the United States is experiencing a significant downward trend driven by demographic shifts and immigration enforcement.

In New York City, enrollment has decreased by approximately 19 percent since the 2013-14 school year, representing a loss of about 187,000 students. A report by City Comptroller Mark Levine indicates that the 2025-26 school year saw the sharpest decline since the pandemic. Contributing factors include falling birthrates and high living costs, though demand for specialized services for students with disabilities and those facing housing insecurity is rising.

Nationwide, Census data shows the population of children under 18 has been falling since 2010, with a projected decrease of 2.1 million children through 2025. In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District has lost over 300,000 students in two decades. Local officials report that recent federal deportation efforts have accelerated these declines, as many immigrant families have reportedly gone into hiding following changes to restrictions regarding ICE operations near schools.