Home / Education / Harlingen Schools Close Doors After 60 Years
Harlingen Schools Close Doors After 60 Years
17 Apr
Summary
- Two Harlingen elementary schools will close due to declining enrollment.
- Schools will transform into specialized STEM and Fine Arts academies.
- This is the first school closure in Harlingen since 1962.
The Harlingen school district is closing two elementary schools, Crockett and Jefferson, for the first time in over six decades due to falling enrollment. Students will be transferred to Lamar and Zavala elementary campuses, which will be transformed into specialized academies.
These campuses will become the Lamar Fine Arts Academy and the Zavala STEM Academy, respectively, with substantial renovations planned. This strategic move aims to enhance educational programs and provide more opportunities for students, even as enrollment has decreased from 17,577 in 2020 to 16,199 in the past year.
Jefferson Elementary will be repurposed into the Jefferson Head Start Academy for early childhood education, while Crockett Elementary will become the Crockett Center of H.O.P.E., offering community support and an expanded high school pathway program. All employees will be retained during this transition.
