Ghent School Stays Open Under New District Plan

Norfolk Public Schools excludes the campus from its upcoming consolidation phase, keeping students at their current school.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Secondary Education

Ghent School Stays Open Under New District Plan

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Norfolk Public Schools has removed Ghent School from the upcoming Phase 2 consolidation plan. Students will no longer be required to relocate to the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont during the 2027-2028 school year as previously scheduled.

Why it matters

The decision provides immediate relief for families planning around the school's future, as the district works to balance resource allocation with declining enrollment. While the building remains on the long-term consolidation list, this pause offers parents more time to plan for their children's schooling needs.

Ghent School was officially excluded from the Phase 2 consolidation plan that was originally adopted by the Norfolk School Board in October 2025. The district now aims to focus resources on student needs as it navigates ongoing enrollment declines across the city.

The players

Dr. Jeff Rose

The Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools who manages district-wide resource allocation and facility planning.

Norfolk School Board

The local governing body responsible for adopting consolidation plans and boundary changes for city students.

Ghent School

A local Norfolk campus previously slated for consolidation that remains open under the updated district plan.

The details

The school division manages consolidation by assessing building conditions, enrollment trends, and coordination with the city of Norfolk. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose confirmed that while the building remains on the board's master list, Ghent School will remain open for the time being. This shift prevents the planned 2027-2028 move to the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont.

October 2025: Norfolk School Board adopted the original consolidation plan.
October 14, 2026: Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose confirmed the exclusion of Ghent School.
October 19, 2026: Community meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Ghent School.
2027-2028 school year: Original timeline for Phase 2 relocations.

The Home Front

This decision reflects the district's ongoing response to Norfolk Public Schools' declining enrollment trends. It highlights how local facility management strategies are being recalibrated to address shifting student populations and resource constraints.

Families with students at Ghent School should prioritize attending the community meeting on October 19 at 6:00 p.m. to hear directly from division leaders about the revised facility plan. Parents should also monitor district communications for any updates on long-term building usage.

The takeaway

While Ghent School will remain open for now, the building continues to be listed on the board's master consolidation plan. Parents should keep their school-related administrative records organized and participate in upcoming town halls to stay informed about facility timelines.