Background
In 2024, the Ogdensburg City School District completed an enrollment study to track and understand enrollment trends and what that means for programs, staffing, facilities and long‑term planning.
The district has experienced a steady and significant decline in student enrollment over the past several years, dropping nearly 16% between 2018 and 2024. The downward trend is expected to continue, with district projections estimating about 1,273 students in 2026-27 and potentially fewer than 1,000 students by 2033 based on local data. With fewer students spread across multiple buildings, the district faces growing challenges in maintaining equitable programs, staffing and facility use.
To address this, the district is proposing a reorganization of its elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Under the plan, Grant C. Madill would become a Primary School for UPK-1, John F. Kennedy would become an Intermediate School for grades 2-6, and Ogdensburg Free Academy would continue to serve grades 7-12. This reconfiguration brings students of similar ages together and ensures all children have equitable access to appropriate facilities. The goal is to create a more sustainable district structure while strengthening the learning environment for students at all levels.
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Both elementary schools are currently K-6. Instruction in science and music/band are two examples of inequity depending on which school students currently attend. The reconfiguration would ensure all students in 2-6 have access to the modern spaces at JFK. In addition, updates to Madill would be tailored to instruction for early learners.
