Fresno High School, the city’s oldest high school, is experiencing a significant decline in enrollment. Over the last decade, the school has lost 462 students, roughly a fifth of its student population. This trend is part of a larger decline in Fresno Unified School District, which has lost nearly 4,000 students in the same time period.

Causes of Decline

According to district leaders, the decline is due to a combination of factors, including declining birthrates, higher costs of living, and students opting out of Fresno High in favor of other schools. Principal Amy Smith notes that the school’s location, which is landlocked by other school districts, contributes to the decline. Additionally, the school’s proximity to magnet schools and high concentrations of foster and homeless students have also played a role.

Some parents, like Simon Biasell, have chosen to send their children to other schools, such as Bullard High, due to concerns about the quality of education at Fresno High. Biasell, who serves as the lead pastor at the Big Red Church, says that choosing a school in Fresno Unified can feel like compromising on a child’s education.

Impact on the Community

The decline in enrollment at Fresno High has significant implications for the community. With fewer students, the school may struggle to maintain its programs and services. Furthermore, the decline in enrollment may also impact the local economy, as families who might have otherwise moved to the area to attend Fresno High may choose to go elsewhere.

District leaders, such as Andy Levine, are exploring solutions to attract more students to Fresno High, including partnerships with the City of Fresno. However, these efforts are still in the early stages, and it remains to be seen whether they will be successful in reversing the decline in enrollment.

Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.