New York spends more per public school student than any other state even as enrollment continues to fall, confronting districts with difficult decisions about staffing, facilities, and educational programs, according to a new Citizens Budget Commission report.

The nonpartisan budget watchdog found statewide public school enrollment declined by 322,808 students, or 12%, from the 2009-10 school year through 2025-26, leaving 2.38 million students enrolled.

Traditional public schools lost about 457,000 students during that period, while charter school enrollment increased by 135,000, primarily in New York City, according to the commission's "Competitive NYS: Value Proposition Tracker."

"Public school enrollment has declined in every region over the past decade, reflecting broader demographic trends and slower population growth," the CBC said in its analysis. 

"Enrollment declines have been particularly pronounced outside the New York City metropolitan area, creating new challenges for school districts as they balance staffing, facilities, and educational programming with fewer students," it continued.

Federal projections indicate the decline is likely to continue as New York contends with slow population growth, domestic outmigration, and falling birth rates.

The National Center for Education Statistics projects New York could lose another double-digit percentage of its public school enrollment by 2031, placing it among the states expected to experience the country’s steepest declines.

Shrinking enrollment could force policymakers and local officials to consider school consolidations, building closures, and staffing reductions, particularly in communities where population losses have persisted for years.

More than 800 of New York City's roughly 1,800 public schools enroll fewer than 400 students, including 241 schools with fewer than 200 students, according to the report.

Despite the enrollment losses, New York led the nation with current public school spending of $31,918 per student in fiscal 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

That was 81% above the national average of $17,619 and exceeded spending in the District of Columbia, Vermont, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

New York City spent $35,796 per student, the highest amount among the nation's 100 largest school systems.

The CBC said the heavy spending has produced mixed academic results, with New York students performing near the national average in reading and below the national average in math on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office defended the state's continued education spending.

"Governor Hochul continues to make record investments in our schools because she believes every child in New York deserves access to a quality education, setting them up for lifelong success," a spokesperson said. 

"We will continue to work with school districts around the state to ensure they have the resources they need, while maintaining the Governor's strong track record of fiscal discipline during her time in office," the spokesperson added.