LAUSD's dramatic decline in enrollment reflects trend impacting schools across California

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Student enrollment in the Los Angeles Unified School District, along with many districts throughout California, has been in a steady state of freefall -- a trend with potentially dire consequences if it continues.

Jovanna Mendoza Machad, whose two boys recently started the new academic year at Corona Avenue Elementary in Bell, said she's worried about the state of LAUSD schools.

Last year, her son Asher's after-school art program was cut after just one week. And at her son Diego's former school, his kindergarten class was merged with a pre-K program.

LAUSD's enrollment peaked during the the 2002-2003 school year, with 724,113 students. It has plummeted to the point that the projected student body enrollment for 2027-2028 is 375,661.

"You have less students, you have less revenue," said Anna Ponce, CEO of the nonprofit Great Public Schools Now, who believes California needs to overhaul how it funds its public schools.

That funding is currently based on enrollment and attendance data. According to Ponce, that formula punishes schools that need to operate regardless of whether all of their students show up for classes.

"We as a society need to determine whether or not we are going to commit to the promise of a high-quality education," Ponce told ABC7.