Last night, Fort Worth Independent School District’s board approved a sweeping set of zoning changes that will shape the district’s schools through 2026 and beyond.
Board Decision and Context
The vote, which came after the student council president at Riverside spoke against the changes, was carried 8‑0 in May with no discussion or comments. It approved a plan developed by district administrators to close 18 campuses, mostly elementary schools, over the next five years.
New Attendance Zones for 2026
Parents of students at the four elementary schools now know where their children will attend school during the fall of 2026:
- Kirkpatrick Elementary School
- West of Azle Ave: students move to Huerta Elementary
- West of Angle Ave: students move to Huerta Elementary
- East of Angle Ave: students move to Washington Heights Elementary
- EJ Briscoe Elementary School
- North of Maddox: students move to Van Zandt‑Guinn Elementary
- South of Maddox and north of the stream/culvert: students move to Carroll Peak Elementary
- South of the stream/culvert: students move to Morningside Elementary
- Charles Nash Elementary School
- East of Union Pacific RR: students move to Oakhurst Elementary
- South of Belknap St: students move to Versia Williams Elementary
- West of Union Pacific RR and north of Belknap St: students move to Rufino Mendoza Elementary (this boundary also impacts secondary schools)
- Riverside Applied Learning Center
- Students transition to Bonnie Brae Elementary and adopt an applied learning instructional model
Consolidation and Future Closures
The district also approved consolidating Western Hills Primary at Western Hills Elementary during the 2026 school year. Additional schools slated for closure or consolidation under the five‑year plan include:
- June 2027: De Zavala Elementary, McDonald Elementary, Pate Elementary, Stevens Elementary
- June 2028: Beal Elementary, Helbing Elementary, Sunrise‑McMillan Elementary
- June 2029: Hubbard Heights Elementary, Kirkpatrick Middle School, Morningside Middle School
Financial Impact
The district estimates that completing the plan will save more than 77 million dollars, eliminating the need for costly building repairs and reducing empty seats as enrollment shrinks.
Community Response
Some parents of impacted schools have said they will pull their children from the district rather than move them to larger consolidated campuses, contributing to the enrollment declines the district faces.
Key Takeaways
- Fort Worth ISD approved zoning changes and a five‑year closure plan for 18 schools.
- New attendance zones for 2026 are set for four elementary schools.
- The plan aims to save over 77 million dollars and address declining enrollment.
The district’s decisions mark a significant shift in the educational landscape of Fort Worth, with lasting effects on families, schools, and the community.
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