Inglewood Unified to Close Five Schools in June 2025 Amid Enrollment Decline and Financial Struggles

Inglewood Unified School District will close five schools at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, marking a significant restructuring as the district grapples with sustained enrollment declines and financial pressures that have persisted for more than two decades.

The schools closing their doors in June 2025 are Crozier Junior High, Hudnall TK-6 School, Highland TK-6 School, Kelso TK-6 School, and Morningside High School. The closures will consolidate resources and students into the district’s remaining 11 schools as officials seek to align capacity with current enrollment realities.

The decision comes as the district has experienced a dramatic 57.5% enrollment decrease since its peak in the 2003-04 academic year, losing approximately 10,341 students over two decades. Currently, Inglewood Unified serves 7,354 students across 16 schools, down from nearly 18,000 students at its height.

“These closures are incredibly difficult but necessary decisions,” said Superintendent Dr. James Morris. “We must be responsible stewards of taxpayer resources while ensuring every student receives a quality education. Consolidating schools allows us to concentrate resources and offer enhanced programs.”

The enrollment decline reflects broader demographic shifts in Inglewood, including gentrification pressures, rising housing costs, and families relocating to more affordable communities. The city’s transformation into a global entertainment destination has paradoxically contributed to displacement of longtime residents, many with school-age children.

Financial pressures compound the enrollment challenges. Inglewood Unified has operated under state receivership for more than a decade following fiscal crises, with an elected school board that lacks full budgetary authority. The district spends $16,505 per student annually, but declining enrollment reduces overall funding under California’s per-pupil allocation system.

The closure of Morningside High School holds particular significance for the community. The school served generations of Inglewood families and was considered a pillar of South Los Angeles education. Its closure coincides with the city’s controversial proposal to redevelop the Morningside campus site for residential housing, a plan that has sparked community debate about preserving educational facilities versus addressing housing needs.

Parents and community members have expressed mixed reactions to the closures. Some understand the financial necessity, while others worry about longer commutes, larger class sizes, and loss of neighborhood school identity.

“My children attended Kelso Elementary, as did I,” said longtime resident Maria Hernandez. “It’s heartbreaking to see these schools close, but I also understand the district can’t keep half-empty buildings open when there’s not enough money.”

District officials emphasize that no teachers will be laid off due to the closures, with staff members reassigned to remaining schools. Students will be redistricted to attend nearby schools within the system, though some families may face longer transportation times.

Despite the closures, the district has announced plans for future educational investments, including a new high school academy, innovative reconstruction of Inglewood High School, joint-use collaboration with the City of Inglewood’s Library, and a state-of-the-art community hub sports complex facility.

These planned developments reflect the district’s attempt to modernize facilities and programs while adapting to smaller enrollment. Officials argue that fewer, better-resourced schools can provide superior educational experiences compared to maintaining multiple underfunded campuses.

The closures also raise questions about the long-term sustainability of urban school districts facing demographic changes. Inglewood’s experience mirrors challenges in districts across California, where enrollment declines driven by declining birth rates, housing costs, and migration patterns force difficult decisions about school consolidation.

As the 2024-2025 school year progresses, the district will conduct community meetings to address transition logistics, including redistricting boundaries, transportation arrangements, and preservation of school traditions and programs during consolidation.

For families affected by the closures, the district has established a transition support hotline and will provide counseling services to help students adjust to new school environments.

This story draws on information from EdSource and Inglewood Unified School District.