Extreme Weather Forces School Closures, Disrupting Education Nationwide

Across the nation, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events are disrupting school systems, forcing closures and impacting student learning. From record heat waves and severe storms to flooding and wildfires, schools are struggling to maintain a consistent learning environment in the face of a changing climate. These closures not only interrupt academic progress but also create social, psychological, and economic hardships for students and families.

The Rising Tide of Climate-Related Disruptions

Extreme weather events are becoming a significant challenge for schools. Heat waves are closing schools in states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Wildfires have shuttered schools in Nevada, while flooding has led to closures across the country. A recent analysis found that students in grades 3 through 5 lose at least two weeks' worth of academic growth in math and reading for every week of missed instruction due to extreme weather. The impact is even more severe for middle school students, who can lose nearly three weeks of reading and four weeks of math learning for every week of closure.

Parents for Climate, an advocacy group, reports that in February 2024, over 220 schools and early childhood centers nationwide were forced to close for a day or more, totaling 310 days of service closures. In February 2025, 297 school closure days occurred across 121 schools, primarily in North Queensland, due to floods.

The Impact on Learning and Well-being

School closures have far-reaching consequences beyond just missed instructional time. A 2022 study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that natural disasters have "devastating effects on K-12 schools including trauma and mental health issues among students and staff, lost instructional time and financial strain."

Research indicates that heat makes it harder for students to learn, and students perform worse on tests when they are hot. A study tracking 10 million secondary students found that without air conditioning, a 1-degree hotter school year reduced that year's learning by 1%.

Moreover, school closures can exacerbate existing inequalities. Students from low-income households are more likely to attend schools with inadequate air conditioning, making them more vulnerable to extreme heat. Girls are also more susceptible to dropping out during prolonged school closures, leading to reduced educational attainment and lower earning potential.

Addressing the Challenge: Mitigation and Adaptation

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, schools and communities must take proactive steps to mitigate the impact on education. These strategies include:

• Investing in Infrastructure: Upgrading school facilities with effective heating and cooling systems is crucial. Ensuring that buildings and technology can operate in wider temperature conditions can help schools stay open or reopen faster during extreme weather.
• Integrating Climate Resilience into Planning: School districts should develop plans to address wildfire, extreme temperatures, and flooding, and prepare for power instability. This includes aligning existing district plans with climate resilience goals and implementing actionable infrastructure strategies.
• "Baking In" Recovery Days: District leaders can estimate the risk of closures from common weather events and incorporate recovery days into the school year calendar.
• Stress-Testing Systems: Conducting simulations of remote learning systems can help identify and address technical issues before they arise during actual weather events.
• Understanding Student Needs: Recognizing that weather-related closures can have different impacts depending on the nature of the event is essential. Closures due to natural disasters involving floods, fires, or hurricanes can cause trauma that requires additional support for students.

Exploring Alternative Learning Models

In addition to physical adaptations, schools are exploring alternative learning models to minimize disruptions caused by extreme weather.

• Remote Learning: Many districts are utilizing remote learning days to continue instruction when in-person classes are canceled. However, the effectiveness of remote learning depends on access to technology and reliable internet connectivity, which can be a challenge for some students.
• E-Learning Days: Some districts are implementing e-learning days, where students engage in learning from home or virtually on inclement weather days. This allows for continuity of learning and avoids the need to make up days at the end of the school year.
• Adjusting School Term Dates: Some communities are considering shifting school term dates to avoid the most severe weather impacts. For example, the Philippines decided to move their school term due to extreme heat.

The Path Forward

Extreme weather events pose a significant and growing threat to education systems nationwide. By investing in resilient infrastructure, implementing proactive planning strategies, and exploring alternative learning models, schools can mitigate the impact of these disruptions and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed. The challenge requires a collaborative effort involving schools, communities, and policymakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of students in a changing climate.