Where Are We In This Process? Key Points To Know
- Preserve Lakewood Schools
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Lakewood’s school board may vote as soon as May 19, on whether to close and repurpose one or even two of our neighborhood elementary schools (Grant, Lincoln, Roosevelt).
The superintendent’s Elementary Planning Task Force will conclude its meetings in the next few weeks, and make their recommendation to the superintendent.
The superintendent plans to make a recommendation on whether to close up to two elementary schools to the school board as early as the school board’s May 19 meeting.
The school board may vote to close up to two elementary schools as early as the meeting on May 19, or at any of its meetings moving forward.
I Heard Lakewood Is Losing Enrollment Drastically. Is That True?
No. According to the school district’s updated projections, Lakewood enrollment has stabilized.
Unfortunately, the school district began this process using outdated enrollment projections that were from 2022, and shared that outdated information at its community meetings held this fall. The school district conducted an updated enrollment study, which was released in February 2025.
The school district projects that Lakewood will only lose 66 K-5 students over the next 10 years – that’s only 9 fewer students per elementary school.
Grant currently has 322 students, and is at 81% of its capacity, the largest enrollment percentage of all the elementary schools in Lakewood.
If Up to Two Schools Were To Close, all families from those schools would be divided up and reassigned to other remaining elementary schools, possibly among all 5-6 of the remaining schools.
Safety Risks
More students would walk and bike further distances to school, with many crossing more dangerous streets and railroad tracks. We calculate that current Grant students moved to other schools would have to cross Detroit, Madison, and the railroad tracks 51,480 more times in a school than they do currently.
More students would likely be driven to school, leading to increased traffic and commutes, and more families rushing between schools for dropoff and pickup.
Negligible Financial Benefit
The school district has repeatedly said that the reasons for closing one or even two elementary schools are not financial.
According to the school district, closing and repurposing an elementary school would only save the school district approximately $500,000 per year – less than 1% of the school district’s nearly $100 million yearly budget.
School Levy Coming in May 2026
Regardless of whether the school district closes up to two elementary schools, the school district still plans to ask Lakewood voters to approve a levy in May 2026.
How Can I Help?
It's Time To Show Up For Our Schools!
Please join us to share your opinion and comments with the school board at its upcoming school board meetings! We want to fill the room! Public speaking not your thing? Attend and sit with our group and wear a button in support!
Monday, April 7, 7pm at Grant Elementary Cafetorium, 1470 Victoria Ave.
Monday, April 14, 7pm at Roosevelt Elementary, 14237 Athens Ave.
About Preserve Lakewood Schools
Preserve Lakewood Schools is a coalition of parents, residents, and leaders in Lakewood committed to preventing the closure/repurposing of elementary schools by Lakewood Schools, and supporting the long-term excellence and vitality of Lakewood's public schools. Learn more at PreserveLakewoodSchools.org.
