Caddo Parish Schools to close three schools

After more than four hours of listening to residents and alumni, the CPSB voted to close three schools, which will impact 751 students and their families.

Today, the Caddo Parish School Board discussed the possibility of Queensborough Elementary School being zoned to attend J.S. Clark K-8 Academy and prepared for the property to be listed for sale. If the merger moves forward, 222 Queensborough students would expand J.S. Clark to 651 students.

Blanchard students would transfer to Donnie Bickham Middle School, which would become a K through 8th grade campus with an additional wing for K-2nd grade. Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Center students would transfer to Atkins Elementary.

Alumni, residents, and teachers spoke before the CPSB voted. One teacher said the closure will be ‘devastating’ for the children at the Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Center, highlighting the profound effects it will have on their young minds.

The closures of each school impact 715 students and their families. As of October 1, 2024, Queensborough has 222 students, and its capacity is 391; Blanchard has 378, and its capacity is 378; and Eighty-First has 115, and its capacity is 429.

“These recommendations reflect our responsibility to plan for both today’s students and the students to come.“By aligning our facilities with enrollment trends, instructional goals and the strength of our community partnerships, we’re creating opportunities that place students at the center of every decision. At the same time, we’re ensuring that our resources are being used wisely and efficiently, in a way that honors the trust of our families and taxpayers across Caddo Parish.”
The Caddo Parish School Board, Superintendent Keith Burton.

CPSB says that “the actions also clear the path for targeted facility enhancements at several campuses, including exterior and functional upgrades at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle, Broadmoor STEM Academy, and J.S. Clark Academy. These upgrades are designed to improve the student experience and accommodate evolving campus needs.”

The school board says they are committed to supporting all affected staff and will offer opportunities to transition to other district school roles. “Families affected by these changes will receive ongoing communication and transition support as the district prepares for phased implementation beginning this fall.”