Texas public education is facing a significant shift as more than half of the state’s traditional public school districts report declining enrollment, while charter schools continue to attract increasing numbers of students. According to a recent study by Texas A&M University’s Private Enterprise Research Center, 58 percent of traditional public school districts experienced enrollment drops between fall 2019 and fall 2024.
This decline comes despite Texas’s overall population growth of nearly 8 percent over the same period. While public school enrollment fell by 1 percent, charter schools grew by a remarkable 29.4 percent, becoming the fastest-growing educational option for Texas families.
Major Urban Districts Hit Hard
Some of Texas’s largest school districts have seen significant enrollment losses. Houston Independent School District (ISD) experienced a 15.9 percent decline, Fort Worth ISD dropped 15.1 percent, Austin ISD declined by 10.7 percent, and Dallas ISD saw a 9.1 percent reduction. These figures highlight the trend of families increasingly choosing alternatives to traditional public schools.
Charter Schools Lead the Way
Among the educational options available—such as homeschooling and private schools—charter schools have seen the most robust growth. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) reported that for the 2023–2024 school year, there were 422,930 students enrolled in state-authorized charter schools, representing 7.6 percent of total public school enrollment. This marked a 4.7 percent increase over the previous year.
However, the demand for charter schools far exceeds their capacity. The TEA’s 2024 Charter School Waitlist Report recorded 73,813 unique names, reflecting thousands of families still waiting for available spots.
Districts Respond with Mixed Strategies
Faced with shrinking student bodies, many districts are turning to traditional responses such as budget cuts, layoffs, and increasing class sizes to cope with reduced funding and resources. Yet, some districts are adopting more innovative measures to try and reverse the trend.
Northside ISD in the San Antonio metropolitan area launched its “Excellence Without Borders” open enrollment initiative, allowing students from across the greater San Antonio region to apply to any of the district’s schools. Admission depends on factors such as attendance, discipline records, and campus capacity, aiming to attract and retain students through expanded choice within the district.
Meanwhile, Houston ISD, which has experienced the highest rate of student transfers to charter schools in the state, is exploring a $2.25 million consulting and marketing campaign to boost enrollment and improve its public image. After a state takeover in March 2023, Houston ISD lost 53,734 students to charter schools—the largest transfer volume in Texas.
Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD follow, with 33,508 and 15,107 students respectively transferring to charter schools last year, highlighting a regional pattern of families seeking alternatives outside traditional district schools.
Looking Ahead
Texas’s educational landscape is clearly evolving as families increasingly consider charter schools as a viable and popular alternative. For traditional public schools, the challenge will be adapting to these demographic changes and competition to maintain and grow their student populations amid shifting preferences and growing demand for school choice.
