Enrollment drops largest among Latino, white students in California public schools

The latest student enrollment figures have sent a shock wave through California’s education system. True, the downward trend of enrollment in the state’s transitional kindergarten to 12th grade is no longer a surprise. But this school year, enrollment plummeted 1.3% — a loss of nearly 75,000 students — the sharpest decline since the pandemic.

While Latino students account for 64% of the total loss, the rapid decline of white students from rosters is also notable. A combination of factors may be at play beyond declining birth rates — the effects of immigration enforcement and families moving out of urban areas because of the cost of living, some observers say.

48.1k

number of Latino students no longer enrolled in California public schools in 2025-26, a 1.5% drop from the prior year. Latino students became the largest group in California’s public schools in 1996-97, and today account for 62% of enrollment.

31k

number of white students no longer enrolled in 2025-26, a 2.7% drop from the prior year. Since 1984-85, the share of white students in total enrollment has fallen from 55% to 22%.