School districts across the Fort Worth area have seen a decline in student enrollment for the second year in a row, continuing a trend that’s affecting classrooms and budgets. Eight out of 13 districts reported fewer students than last year. The main reasons behind this drop are school choice, declining birth rates, and migration patterns.
Fort Worth ISD, the largest district in the area, saw its enrollment fall to 67,705 students in September, a decrease from nearly 83,000 during the 2019-20 school year. The district’s superintendent has taken steps to address this decline, including eliminating 19 job titles and shifting $22.7 million away from central administration.
Other districts, such as Keller ISD and Everman ISD, also saw enrollment declines, with Keller ISD losing 14% of its students since 2019-20. Arlington ISD’s enrollment dipped to 51,395, down from more than 59,000 in 2019.
However, not all districts are seeing a decline. Northwest ISD, one of the fastest-growing systems in the state, grew by 30.8% since 2019, and Aledo ISD continued to climb with an increase of 3% from last year’s official state count.
The shifts reflect broader statewide trends, including a decline in birth rates and an increase in charter school enrollment. The Texas education savings account program, set to launch next year, is also expected to impact the enrollment landscape.
As the state prepares for what’s expected to be its largest voucher-like program, officials are warning of potential losses for traditional districts like Fort Worth ISD. The program will allow parents to use state funds for private school tuition or other approved educational expenses, which could lead to more families leaving traditional districts for charter schools and private institutions.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/18/most-fort-worth-area-school-districts-see-enrollment-decline-as-charters-suburbs-gain