Plantation Middle School, one of the few schools in Broward County offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate program known worldwide for fostering critical thinking, may soon close its doors due to a sharp drop in student enrollment.

District officials say the decline in public school enrollment — down by 37,000 students over the past decade — is forcing difficult decisions.

At the start of the 2025–26 school year, Broward County recorded roughly 236,000 students across public and charter schools, a decrease of about 10,000 in just one year.

The causes, officials say, include the growing use of private school vouchers, smaller family sizes, and families leaving Florida altogether.

"It's unfortunate we have to make these choices, but it's best for students going forward,"

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