Five San Jose elementary schools face closure due to enrollment drop, sparking community opposition.

The San Jose Unified School District's advisory committee has recommended closing five elementary schools—Empire Gardens, Lowell, Canoas, Terrell, and Gardener—due to a 20% enrollment decline that has strained district finances. The plan, part of the "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative, also includes relocating Hammer Montessori to the Gardener campus. Initially proposed for up to nine schools, the list was narrowed after community pushback. Parents, students, and educators have strongly opposed the closures, citing concerns over disrupted neighborhood ties, lack of transparency, and inadequate communication. The final decision remains pending as the school board prepares to review the recommendation.