Coral Springs officials push for displaced students to rejoin Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after boundary change impact
Coral Springs, Florida – City leaders in Coral Springs are calling for the return of students who were displaced due to a boundary change two years ago, advocating for them to be allowed back into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The move comes as the school district suggests that the once-overcrowded institution may have open seats for the upcoming school year.
The city commission passed a measure on Wednesday requesting that the School Board of Broward County prioritize displaced students for reentry into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School through the district’s school choice program. School choice allows parents the flexibility to apply for a school outside of the one their children are automatically assigned to based on their home address.
“We want to make sure that Coral Springs students who were affected by the boundary change have the option to return to a school that is consistently rated as an ‘A’ school,” said city officials. “This is an opportunity to ensure they get back into a high school with a strong reputation and a quality education.”
The city is already informing families about the possibility of having their high school-aged children return to Marjory Stoneman starting April 7, which marks the opening of the late application window for the school choice process. However, any move of this kind is contingent on the approval of the school board, which is expected to review the request.
This boundary change, which took place in April 2023, affected 351 Coral Springs students who were previously enrolled at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. These students were reassigned to Coral Glades High School for the 2023-2024 school year. The rezoning decision was made after Marjory Stoneman Douglas experienced a peak student population of 3,567 in the 2021-2022 school year, exceeding the school’s permanent capacity of 3,077 students.
Currently, Marjory Stoneman is operating with 3,089 students, which is still slightly above its designated capacity but lower than the overcrowded situation it faced in recent years. School leaders across Broward County have been grappling with declining enrollment, which has left many schools, including Marjory Stoneman Douglas, with extra space that could be utilized for students who were once relocated.
For Coral Springs, the decline in enrollment presents an opportunity to bring its students back to a highly rated school that has long been regarded as one of the county’s top academic institutions. Marjory Stoneman Douglas has been recognized consistently for its academic achievements, with high test scores and a reputation for excellence in both academics and extracurriculars.
While this measure is still awaiting final approval, Coral Springs officials remain hopeful that the school district will recognize the benefits of returning these students to their home school. The decision could help alleviate the strain caused by the boundary changes and ensure that local students receive the education they deserve at a school they once called home.
The situation has created a sense of optimism in Coral Springs, where residents and officials alike have voiced their support for the initiative. As the April 7 deadline for the late application window approaches, families in Coral Springs are being encouraged to keep an eye out for updates from the city and school district regarding the reapplication process.
