News Summary
The Caddo Parish School Board has voted to close three schools, including Queensborough Elementary, Blanchard Elementary, and Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Education Center. The decision aims to enhance educational experiences and align with community needs. Queensborough will close at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, with students moving to J.S. Clark Academy. Blanchard and Eighty-First Street will close by the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Community leaders are optimistic about new opportunities at updated facilities and a streamlined educational journey for affected students.
Caddo Parish School Board Takes Bold Steps: Three Schools Set to Close
In the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana, a significant decision was made during the Caddo Parish School Board’s meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Community members gathered to discuss a matter that affects families, teachers, and the future of education in the area. After much deliberation, the board has voted to close down three schools in the district: Queensborough Elementary, Blanchard Elementary, and Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Education Center.
The Details Behind the Closures
With the aim of enhancing the educational experience for students while addressing the changing needs of the community, the board’s decision is centered around strategic planning. Queensborough Elementary, which has served its community for many years, will officially close its doors at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Once this transition takes place, students from Queensborough will find a new home at J.S. Clark Academy, streamlining resources and opportunities for the young learners.
A purchase plan is already in the works for the land on which Queensborough Elementary is located, with intentions to acquire it from Willis Knighton Health. This move signals the board’s commitment to retaining valuable assets within the community and possibly repurposing them for further educational endeavors.
What’s Next for Blanchard Elementary?
The fate of Blanchard Elementary is somewhat similar, with the school set to close its operations at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Students from Blanchard will transition to Donnie Bickham, where exciting upgrades are planned! A new wing is being constructed specifically to accommodate students from pre-kindergarten through second grade, ensuring that young minds continue to receive a quality education in an updated environment.
Changes at Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Education Center
Additionally, the Eighty-First Street Early Childhood Education Center will also follow suit, closing its doors at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. It’s anticipated that students currently enrolled there will merge into Atkins Elementary, ensuring that families have a smooth transition without disruption in their early education journey.
Community Reaction and Future Plans
Caddo Parish Superintendent Keith Burton took a moment to share his thoughts regarding the closures, focusing on the immediate attention needed at Queensborough Elementary while also alluding to plans to ease the transition for affected students. With a robust transition strategy, students and families can be reassured that their education will continue seamlessly.
As the board takes these decisive actions to realign and enhance educational outcomes, they are also responding to broader population trends within Caddo Parish. State Superintendent Cade Brumley echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity for schools to adapt to the dynamic nature of the community’s needs. The hope is that these developments will ultimately foster better academic results across the district.
A New Chapter for Caddo Parish Schools
While school closures are never easy, the Caddo Parish School Board is committed to ensuring that every student receives the best education possible. With plans in place and a supportive community working together, these transitions may pave the way for a brighter future in the local education system. Only time will tell how these changes will shape the academic landscape in Shreveport, but for now, families can look forward to a fresh start in new educational settings.
As this chapter closes for the schools involved, the journey continues for the children, educators, and families who remain committed to thriving within Caddo Parish’s education system. Stay tuned for updates as plans unfold and the community adapts to these necessary changes!
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times: Caddo Parish School Board Approves Closure of Schools
- Wikipedia: Caddo Parish, Louisiana
- KTBS: 3 Caddo Elementary Schools to Close
- Google Search: Caddo Parish School Closures
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Caddo Parish School Board Votes to Close Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- 710 KEEL: Caddo Parish School Closures
- Google News: Caddo Parish School Closure News
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
