Fox Hollow Elementary would shut down after the current school year if the Elevate 34668 proposal is approved.
In Port Richey, Pasco County school leaders have put forward a plan that would close one elementary school and reshape two others in the 34668 ZIP code.
Under the proposal from Superintendent John Legg, Fox Hollow Elementary would shut down after the current school year. Students who attend the school on Fox Hollow Drive would be reassigned to nearby campuses, including Schrader Elementary, Chasco K-8, and Gulf Highlands Elementary. The effort is part of a larger district initiative known as Elevate 34668, designed to strengthen educational opportunities in this part of western Pasco County.
If the plan moves forward, Schrader Elementary would shift toward a STEAM model, placing stronger emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Gulf Highlands would become Highlands Exploratory Academy, with programming centered on career awareness and exploration for younger students.
District officials say the changes are driven by several connected factors. Student numbers at the three schools have declined, partly because of lower birth rates in the area. The buildings are also operating with more empty seats than they were built to handle. At the same time, academic results in the ZIP code have remained weak for many years. Over a 14-year stretch, the schools there received six F grades, nine Ds, and 24 Cs, with no A or B grades recorded.
Leaders believe bringing students together into fewer buildings with clearer academic focuses will allow the district to concentrate staff, funding, and support services more effectively. They have stated that no employees would lose their jobs; staff from Fox Hollow would receive priority placement at other schools in the region.
Parents have reacted with a mix of sadness and concern. Some have spoken about their strong attachment to Fox Hollow and the support their children have received there. Others recognize the need for better academic outcomes but worry about the loss of a familiar neighborhood school.
The School Board is scheduled to vote on the proposal on November 3. If approved, rezoning discussions would begin in January, and the new arrangements would take effect for the following school year. Families are being encouraged to share their thoughts with district leaders and board members as the process continues.
The plan reflects an effort to address long-standing challenges in enrollment and performance while trying to create more focused learning environments for students in this section of Pasco County.
