Public school classrooms across South Florida are becoming noticeably quieter, and not because students are better behaved. In both Broward and Miami-Dade counties, thousands of students have exited traditional public schools, leaving district leaders scrambling to adjust. These shifts have triggered school closures, funding gaps, and an urgent push to reimagine what public education should look like.

But just down the road, Pembroke Pines Charter Schools remain at capacity, with waitlists stretching into the hundreds. But the question remains: why? And what does it mean for the future of public education in Florida?

According to Broward’s Benchmark Day Enrollment Count, more than 35,000 students have left the district since 2016. Enrollment dropped from 271,105 in 2016 to 236,667 in 2025, equivalent to over 50 schools being emptied. The steepest drops are at the elementary level, with consequences extending beyond empty seats.

What’s driving the decline

A 2025 Hanover Research study asked nearly 9,000 parents why they left or considered leaving traditional public schools. The top reasons? Academic dissatisfaction and campus safety. About a quarter cited poor educational quality, while another quarter pointed to safety concerns. Other complaints included weak leadership, limited extracurriculars, and inadequate special education services.

Pembroke Pines Commissioner Maria Rodriguez, speaking exclusively to The CHAT, describes the enrollment decline as “a symptom of a larger challenge: housing affordability.” When families can’t afford to live locally, she explains, they often delay having children or relocate to more affordable areas. Consequently, reducing enrollment in traditional and charter schools alike.

Broward School Board Member Rebecca Thompson, who represents District 2, echoes this perspective. Despite the declining numbers, she pushed back on the idea that families are leaving due to a loss of trust in public education. “It’s a misconception that people have lost faith in traditional public schools,” she says. Most parents, she elaborates, still see their schools as a “second home,” pointing to strong safety measures and inclusive programs as core strengths.

Rodriguez further supports Thompson’s view, noting that “many private and some charter schools are not required to admit students with disabilities,” revealing the essential role of public schools in serving all children.

Following the money

But beneath enrollment trends lies a deeper financial shift. Florida’s universal voucher expansion now allows families to use public funds for private, charter, or even homeschool tuition.

“The 2023 change to make vouchers universal has accelerated this trend, with nearly $4 billion diverted statewide in the 2024–25 school year alone,” Thompson says.

She also highlights the growth of charter schools, explaining that it leaves district schools competing for fewer students while managing budgets together.

Because funding is tied to the student population, enrollment drops mean less money to pay for teachers, electives, counselors, after-school programs, and even maintenance. It creates a dangerous cycle: fewer services drive families away, which results in deeper cuts.

“Without policy shifts, these trends are likely to continue, though we are working hard to adapt,” notes Thompson.

Redefining education

That’s where Broward’s Redefining Our Schools initiative comes in. The district is reviewing 34 campuses for potential repurposing, including school closures, grade reconfiguration, or program consolidation.

Earlier this year, Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill closed — a sobering symbol of what’s at stake.

“We’re looking at everything,” Thompson says, including expanding magnet, gifted, and specialty programs to give every community access to strong, sustainable schools.

Meanwhile, 847 charter school students left last year, compared to over 9,600 from traditional schools, suggesting a growing preference among some families for alternatives they view as more stable or flexible.

Why Pembroke Pines Charter stands apart

We’re at a distinct advantage because we have capped enrollment,” says PPCHS Principal Peter Bayer. As a charter school with a strong reputation, he explains, the school has always had a waitlist. Still, he acknowledges the challenge public schools face: “It’s a very tricky business having to predict enrollment year after year.”

As of 2025, PPCHS currently serves 2,115 students in grades 6–12 and 1,850 in high school alone.

Pines Charter’s strong academics and tight-knit community have made it feel “like a prep school,” according to longtime teacher and parent Dan Capiro, who says the sense of family from Pre-K through 12th grade played a big role in his decision to stay.

Krystle Maycock, 12th-grade counselor, agrees, adding that charter schools like PPCHS are being chosen by parents because they “have proven they can provide fair, equitable, and excellent education.”

Veteran teacher Sarah Phelps sees the appeal firsthand. Her son, Finn Phelps Crossman, chose Charter over a prestigious private school. “I really appreciate the diversity at PPCHS and believe it’s essential,” she says. “We provide excellent opportunities here, and we do it in a supportive environment.”

The impact went beyond just her son.

At the recent PPCHS 25-year reunion, a former student approached Phelps and said, “Charter saved my life.” He had been bullied in middle school, but at PPCHS, he felt accepted. “That says a lot about our school,” Phelps says. “Nothing’s perfect, but we’ve managed to create something special.”

A National trend

Enrollment decline, however, isn’t unique to Florida. A 2024 Bellwether report found that multiple regions across the US saw a similar trend.

Los Angeles Unified, for example, lost 57,000 students. A 13.1% drop, potentially costing over $1 billion in funding.

What’s next for Florida schools?

Commissioner Rodriguez believes solutions must begin locally. She pointed to affordable housing and better transportation as key ways the city can help families stay and thrive. “Our goal should be to make Pembroke Pines a place where families can grow and confidently choose quality education for their children,” she says.

Meanwhile, Thompson encourages families not to give up on public schools. She highlights programs like robotics, arts, and sports while emphasizing that every child has a place.

Although the future may be uncertain, the local leaders stepping up are paving a way for Florida kids to access education one step at a time.