Three Reasons Why Most N.C. School Districts Are Losing Students

By Paul Foster

Published March 31, 2025 at 11:57 AM EDT

Students wait to be picked up from South Newton Elementary in Newton, North Carolina. The school has had a steep drop in students since the pandemic, with its district’s enrollment down 11% since 2019.

WUNC K-12 Education Reporter, Liz Schlemmer joined WNCW to discuss the main reasons parents choose to place their children in private schools or select homeschooling over traditional public schooling. Liz also breaks down the effects of COVID and Charter Schools. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.

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Paul Foster

Paul is a broadcasting and public relations veteran, having worked mostly in radio as well as television, news, marketing and higher education. His radio experience includes writing and reporting news, announcing both music and talk shows, management and sports play-by-play. He fully believe all types of music have the freedom and opportunity to be played and heard. Paul is a native of the region.

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