overview updated

Key Factors in School Consolidation

student at school

Schools stand at the heart of our community, nurturing the growth and development of students in Grand Prairie ISD. Therefore, any changes to our school system, especially consolidation, are approached with deep consideration and care.

After a thorough evaluation of our district's enrollment trends and projections, financial goals, and staffing challenges, a difficult but promising course of action has emerged:

  • Consolidate two small, single-gender middle schools, Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Young Men’s Leadership Academy, to form Bill Arnold Middle School, which will have a leadership focus
  • Transition early education students to their home campuses
  • Relocate the School for the Highly Gifted, Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute and YWLA (grades 11 and 12) to John F. Kennedy

Throughout the evaluation process, several critical factors were considered:

Student Success

Consolidation will offer students greater access to academic programs, including career and technology courses, competitive athletics, and advanced courses.

Fiscal Responsibility and Impact

Operating multiple buildings comes with increased costs in many areas, from maintenance to future renovations. This consolidation is an ongoing, fiscally responsible initiative to safeguard available resources for our students, staff, and community.

Building Capacity & Efficiency / Declining Enrollment

Like many school districts across Texas, GPISD has seen a decline in student enrollment. This consolidation effort aims to optimize building capacity and efficiency, which will allow greater access to academic resources and expanded program offerings.

district enrollment

 

For the 2024-25 school year, the following school consolidation moves will be recommended:

  1. YMLA and YWLA (grades 6-8) will unite as Bill Arnold Middle School, a comprehensive middle school with a leadership focus
  2. Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students will attend their neighborhood campuses or apply to attend schools of choice
  3. The School for the Highly Gifted, Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute, and YWLA (grades 11 and 12) will move to the John F. Kennedy campus