Most families across the San Antonio Independent School District are sticking around despite the decision to close 15 school campuses and merge others, and 94% of affected students were matched to their first-ranked school, according to the district.
Overall, 99% were matched to one of their top three requested schools for the 2024-25 school year, the district said.
Parents, advocates and researchers warned during the school closure process last year that the dramatic move along with the growth of charter schools in the region could lead to a compounding enrollment loss.
In an update to the SAISD board in mid-February, first reported by Texas Public radio, SAISD Director of Enrollment Diane Fernandez told board members that every family affected by the school closures has been contacted, with some being contacted multiple times.
While hundreds have yet to respond, around 77% had chosen new schools as of mid-February, with many opting to attend the school assigned to them by the district.
Fernandez added that 280 students indicated that they will not be returning to the district.
With that, enrollment overall is still expected to decline, according to projections used in recent budget discussions, but those who are staying were notified late last week about their school assignments.
“All families impacted by rightsizing received text or email communications by Friday night” about their schools for next year, district spokeswoman Laura Short said in an email.
Some technical issues prevented notifications from going out to all families last Friday, but Short said those issues were resolved over the weekend.
“We sent all notifications again to ensure families were informed of their offers, and all communications were completed on Sunday,” Short said.
Most families not impacted by closures that opted to attend choice schools also were matched with their first-choice school, Short said, with 95% matched to their first-ranked school and 99% matched to one of their top three schools.
