Buffalo Updates School Consolidation Plan

Families at PS 33 and merging high schools have new transfer options under the revised proposal.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Secondary Education

Buffalo Updates School Consolidation Plan

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Do you support the school consolidation plan currently proposed for your local school district?

Buffalo Public Schools has revised its consolidation plan to address family concerns regarding school closures and relocations. Families at PS 33 Bilingual Center and those impacted by upcoming high school mergers will see expanded transfer options and new site locations under the updated proposal.

Why it matters

These adjustments aim to maintain high-quality educational access while addressing logistical hurdles like transportation distance for families. The district modified its recommendations following a week of community feedback to better align building capacity with student service needs.

Leonardo da Vinci High School and Research Laboratory High School will now merge at East Community High School. Meanwhile, PS 64 and PS 156 have been added as new transfer options for PS 33 Bilingual Center students, joining schools 3, 30, and 76.

The players

Buffalo Public Schools

The local school district managing student placements, building capacity, and public educational infrastructure.

PS 33 Bilingual Center

A district school currently undergoing planning changes that impact student transfer options.

East Community High School

The newly designated site intended to house the merged Leonardo da Vinci and Research Laboratory high schools.

The details

The district is vetting the feasibility of these changes by evaluating building capacity and required student services at each site. Riverside Academy is slated to house both the Buffalo Rising Academy and the Career Collegiate Institute under the revised proposal. District officials are analyzing staffing needs and transportation logistics to ensure the consolidated locations can accommodate the projected student population.

Over the past week: District collected public feedback on school proposals.
Thursday at 5:30 p.m.: District holds a public meeting at Renovation Church, 567 Hertel Ave.

The Home Front

These shifts follow a pattern set by the Buffalo Public Schools long-term facilities consolidation initiative to optimize aging building usage. The revisions reflect a move to balance district-wide operational costs with student access and neighborhood stability.

Families affected by the closures should review the updated transfer options for PS 33 Bilingual Center before the next public meeting. Parents with students at the merging high schools should confirm their new school location at East Community High School and watch for district transportation updates.

The takeaway

The district's focus on refining consolidation locations acknowledges the importance of proximity in family logistics. Families should attend the public meeting this Thursday at Renovation Church to voice concerns regarding how these shifts impact their specific neighborhood and school routine.