Highlights from the EBR School Realignment Plan

May 5, 2025—At the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, we support enhancing student opportunities and ensuring every child has access to an excellent education. In January 2025, when discussions around realignment in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) began, we stood in support of this critical work. We believe that realigning school facilities, concentrating resources, and improving learning environments are essential steps toward providing all students with equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities.

The Case for Realignment

EBRPSS has experienced a steady decline in student enrollment over the past decade—a trend reflected across Louisiana and much of the country. This shift has been driven by factors such as lower birth rates, evolving population patterns, and an increase in school choice options. As a result, many of the campuses in the district are significantly under-enrolled, with too few students spread across too many buildings. This makes it challenging to equitably distribute resources, staff, and academic opportunities.

In addition to enrollment concerns, a large number of district facilities are aging and in poor condition. These outdated buildings strain the district’s budget and compromise the quality of the learning environment for students and staff. Importantly, many of the most underutilized schools are also among the district’s lowest-performing. By realigning the district’s structure and resources, the district can reinvest in schools that meet the needs of our students today and continue to build a stronger system for tomorrow.

What the Community Voiced

In the spring, the district engaged in more than 30 community conversations to inform and shape the district’s realignment plan. This process placed the voices of families, educators, and community leaders at the center of a transformative vision for public education in East Baton Rouge Parish. Throughout this process, community members voiced clear and consistent priorities:

Class Size and Academic Excellence: Families emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate class sizes and robust academic offerings.
Transportation and Scheduling: Efficient and reasonable transportation plans and school start times were seen as critical to student well-being, attendance, and family routines.
Vacated School Buildings: There was strong community interest in ensuring that any vacated school facilities are either thoughtfully repurposed for beneficial community use or responsibly demolished.
Communication and Transparency: Stakeholders called for timely, clear communication in families’ home languages. Open and accessible information was viewed as a vital step toward building trust and preparing families and staff for change.
Well-Planned Implementation: A carefully executed transition was viewed as critical to supporting students, minimizing disruption, and fostering long-term confidence in the district’s plans.

Looking Ahead

From those conversations, the realignment plan was created to directly reflect the community’s input and priorities. The plan encompasses 28 schools across the district. As part of the changes, 9 schools will be closed and 16 attendance zones will be modified to better align with community needs and student populations. As a result of these adjustments, 2,239 students will move into higher-quality classroom seats, with 71% of students transitioning to higher-performing schools and 43% moving into buildings in better physical condition—a key factor in supporting effective teaching and learning environments. These changes are also projected to yield $5.7 million in annual cost avoidance, allowing more resources to be directed where they matter most.

Beyond financial savings, consolidating schools brings significant educational advantages. It allows for more efficient use of resources—such as shared administrative staff, better-maintained facilities, and consolidated educational materials. Larger, consolidated schools are often better equipped to attract and retain high-quality educators due to stronger professional networks. Additionally, they are more likely to offer a broader array of academic and extracurricular programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, specialized programs, and other enriching opportunities that smaller schools may not be able to sustain. These enhancements elevate the learning experience and help prepare students for success beyond the classroom.

To read more about the realignment plan, click here.