Rockdale County plans to close multiple schools amid low enrollment

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — In light of declining enrollment numbers, Rockdale County Public Schools is planning to consolidate, its superintendent announced on Friday. Superintendent Stephanie Johnson said the district is seeing a “sharp and persistent decline” in its student population, with 2,000 fewer children than before the pandemic and about 5,000 seats currently empty across schools. Under a new plan dubbed “Future Ready RCPS,” the district is proposing closing Barksdale Elementary, Hightower Trail Elementary, Shoal Creek Elementary, Sims Elementary and Memorial Middle School. Magnet program grades 4 and 5 would relocate to Flat Shoals Elementary, and grades 6 through 8 would relocate to General Ray Davis Middle School. “Everything in this proposal starts with one guiding question: What do we want today’s students to experience tomorrow?” Johnson’s statement said. “We envision a future centered completely on students: strong, STEAM-certified elementary schools with more opportunities for exploration, and middle schools that offer more connections and specialty classes.” Johnson emphasized that the changes aren’t final. The plan is subject to approval by the board of education. The district will soon host three community information sessions and two public hearings, with dates, times and locations to be announced later. Rockdale County isn’t the only metro Atlanta public school district grappling with low enrollment. Fulton County Schools , Atlanta Public Schools and the DeKalb County School District are also undergoing their own consolidation processes. This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.