Portland Public Schools Proposes Closing 14 Schools Amid Declining Enrollment

The Portland Public School District (PPS) has announced plans to close up to 14 elementary and middle schools starting in the fall of 2027 as part of a rightsizing effort intended to reallocate resources for an evolving student population. While PPS emphasizes that its process focuses on student outcomes rather than financial savings, experts note that budget windfalls from closing schools are often minimal because staff at closed facilities may be transferred to other campuses instead of being cut. The proposed closures include Maplewood, Stephenson, Irvington, Rose City Park, Buckman, Creston, Marysville, Woodmere, Lewis, Beach, James John, Peninsula, Sabin Elementary Schools and Sellwood Middle School under Scenario A, which also involves converting several K-8 schools to K-5 models while moving older students into comprehensive middle schools. An alternative plan known as Scenario B would result in only 11 closures by keeping Rose City Park, Lewis and Stephenson open.