(South Bend, IN) - The South Bend Community School Corporation is relying on a consultant to help it figure out how to properly downsize. Nearly one-third of its students have left the district over the last 17 years.

 

The district is trying to achieve a better balance, especially at the high school level. They are currently 2,400 high school students below capacity. Three of the four South Bend high schools are only about half full. Yet South Bend Adams High is over capacity.

 

The district is looking at three scenarios. Keeping all four South Bend high schools as-is would cost nearly $300 million per year. Paring down to two high schools would save over $2 million a year and still only operate at 87% capacity.

 

Keeping three high schools and closing one is also an option. All the scenarios involve streamlining the elementary and middle feeder schools to better serve the high schools equally.

 

Community meetings have already started to get feedback on the options. No changes will be made before the 2024-25 school year.