JCPS’ school closure plan will have disparate impact on Black students

JCPS School Closure Plan and Its Impact on Black Students

It's been a turbulent five years for Precious Criddle and her family. In 2022, her two oldest children were attending Whitney M. Young Elementary, a magnet school in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).

The district announced a school closure plan that would significantly affect their community, particularly Black students. According to reports, this plan disproportionately impacts Black students, raising concerns about equity and access to quality education.

Disparate Impact on Black Students

The closure strategy targets schools with high Black student populations, which undermines neighborhood communities and student stability. This has sparked fears that these closures will widen educational disparities rather than close them.

Community Concerns

Parents and advocates argue the closures will disrupt student learning and access to important resources. They emphasize the necessity of considering racial and socio-economic impacts in decisions about school locations and closures.

"The closures aren't just about buildings; they're about uprooting communities that have long relied on these schools for stability and progress."

Broader Implications

The plan highlights systemic challenges faced by predominantly Black schools in maintaining enrollment, resources, and academic opportunities amid district restructuring efforts.

The JCPS closure plan threatens to deepen educational inequities by disproportionately displacing Black students from their schools and communities.

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Louisville Public Media Louisville Public Media — 2025-11-26

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