Atlanta, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is initiating community engagement opportunities for its Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan (CLRFP), known as APS Forward 2040. The plan aims to tackle infrastructure challenges and ensure equitable learning environments. Outreach meetings will occur from late August to early September, with additional sessions in fall 2023. APS has gathered substantial feedback that will shape upcoming scenarios. The district faces projected enrollment declines and is considering options like school closures and consolidations. The community’s involvement is crucial as APS prepares for a strategic approach to facility management.
Atlanta – Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has announced the launch of community engagement opportunities regarding their Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan (CLRFP), also referred to as APS Forward 2040. This initiative primarily seeks to address pressing infrastructure challenges within the district while ensuring that all students have equitable access to quality learning environments.
In an effort to gather community input, APS will hold a series of outreach meetings starting in late August and continuing into early September, with additional sessions expected in fall 2023. The initial meetings are designed to present an overview of the various scenarios under consideration, providing flexibility for community members to attend at their convenience.
Since May, APS has been actively collecting feedback, receiving over 3,700 survey responses along with insights from multiple public meetings and task force sessions. The information gathered has already begun to influence the scenarios being analyzed, which will adapt based on ongoing community input.
The upcoming public meetings will take place at the Center for Learning and Leadership, located at 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. For those unable to attend in person, virtual meetings will also be available with appropriate registration links. In October, meetings are scheduled to focus on presenting refined recommended scenarios that reflect initial community feedback.
Key Issues Addressed by the CLRFP
The facilities plan is designed to tackle critical challenges facing APS, including overcrowded schools, underutilized campuses, aging infrastructures, and unequal access to specialized academic programs. The ultimate objective is to cultivate stronger and more equitable learning environments that meet students’ needs for years to come.
A total of 75 learning facilities currently operate under APS, with 49 categorizing as elementary or K-8 schools. With projected enrollment declines—anticipated to fall from 49,944 students in the 2024-25 school year to approximately 48,000 by the 2028-29 school year—the district is considering options such as school closures, redistricting, and consolidations. This projected decline particularly impacts elementary schools.
At present, APS utilizes about 65% of its overall capacity, translating to over 21,000 open seats. These trends align with national patterns where other districts are facing similar enrollment drops and have begun closing schools as a response. APS officials noted that such underutilization has hindered access to approximately $350 million in state funding, emphasizing the necessity of the facilities plan.
The CLRFP will contemplate school closures and consolidations; however, it will not entail moving students between high school clusters or implementing district-wide staffing cuts. The school board is expected to review the facilities plan in November, followed by a potential vote in December. The implementation of any redistricting plans will take an estimated 3 to 5 years.
Conclusion
As APS moves forward with the APS Forward 2040 initiative, the engagement of the community will be crucial in shaping a long-term strategic approach to facility management that meets the demands of a changing enrollment landscape.
FAQ Section
What is APS Forward 2040?
APS Forward 2040 is a Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan aimed at addressing infrastructure challenges within Atlanta Public Schools while ensuring equitable access to quality learning environments for all students.
When will community engagement meetings take place?
Community engagement meetings are scheduled for late August and early September, with additional sessions anticipated in fall 2023.
Where will the meetings be held?
The meetings will occur at the Center for Learning and Leadership, located at 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, with virtual options available.
What issues does the facilities plan address?
The facilities plan addresses overcrowded schools, underutilized campuses, aging facilities, and inequitable access to specialized academic programs.
What is the expected student enrollment trend?
Student enrollment is projected to decline from 49,944 in the 2024-25 school year to 48,000 by the 2028-29 school year, particularly affecting elementary schools.
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Additional Resources
- Rough Draft Atlanta: Atlanta Public Schools Facilities Plan
- Wikipedia: Atlanta Public Schools
- K12 Dive: Atlanta Public Schools Building Closures Redistricting Plan 2025-2030
- Google Search: Atlanta Public Schools
- Atlanta News First: Atlanta Public Schools Previews Redistricting Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- 11 Alive: Atlanta Public Schools Considering School Closures
- Google News: APS Forward 2040
- Axios: APS Seeks Input on School Facilities Plans
- Times of India: Atlanta Public Schools Plan Closures Amid Enrollment Decline
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