Four Roswell-area elementary schools are under review for attendance-zone changes and possible consolidation or closure, drawing concerns from parents at an Oct. 13 community forum.

Fulton County Schools is examining Hembree Springs, Mimosa, Esther Jackson and Vickery Mill elementary schools as it evaluates excess classroom capacity in north Fulton.

No specific boundary changes, closures or consolidations have been approved, according to the district’s redistricting page. Inclusion in the review does not mean all four schools would close.

Enrollment and classroom capacity

The four schools serve a combined 1,813 students, with enrollment projected to decline by seven students by the 2030-31 school year, Appen Media reported.

District projections put their combined classroom utilization at about 50% by then, according to 11Alive. The figures point to existing excess capacity, rather than a sharp projected enrollment decline at those four campuses.

Across Fulton County Schools, enrollment stands at 83,164 this school year, down more than 2,300 from the previous year. Elementary and middle schools in Region C, the district’s planning area north of the Chattahoochee River, enrolled 559 fewer students than last year, based on the district’s 20-day count, Appen reported.

Lauren Malekebu, executive director of operational planning, said projected underutilization is driving the review.

Parents question the effects

At the forum at Roswell High School, Hembree Springs parent Hillary Larson said her second-grade daughter’s teachers know students and their families by name. She told 11Alive she worries consolidation could bring larger classes and fewer resources.

“I would like them to really understand this community. I would like them to go to the schools to see what they look like,” Larson said.

The district says geographic proximity, instructional capacity and projected enrollment are its primary criteria for attendance-zone changes. Other considerations include traffic, feeder patterns, special programs and previous redistricting.

How families can weigh in

The community feedback survey from the Oct. 13 forum remains open through Wednesday, Oct. 21, on the district’s redistricting page.

Two additional elementary school forums are scheduled in the Roswell High School gym, 11595 King Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:

  • Monday, Nov. 9: Presentation of an initial draft attendance-zone map and community feedback.
  • Monday, Dec. 14: Presentation of a revised draft and further feedback.

The Board of Education approved beginning the planning process Sept. 17. Its published timeline lists a final attendance-zone vote for Feb. 25, 2027.

If approved, redistricting could begin in August 2027, with potential school closures following in August 2028, 11Alive reported.

Process flyers are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Hindi. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or 470-254-5540.