Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Education, PhD
Program
School of Educational Studies
Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair
Susan Bush-Mecenas
Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member
Frances M. Gipson
Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member
Mayeen Quader
Terms of Use & License Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Rights Information
© 2025 Gary Pierson
Keywords
School Brokered Resources, School Closure, School Consolidation, School Facilities, School Shuttering, Urban Community School
Subject Categories
Educational Leadership
Abstract
This phenomenological single case study explores the lived experiences of community members in Central Bay, California, as Central Bay High School faces the prospect of consolidation or closure. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the study examines how the potential loss of a longstanding educational institution affects community access to socially valued resources and services, such as extracurricular programs, health services, safe gathering spaces, and pathways to postsecondary education. The research investigates the multifaceted impact of school closures on the well-being and resilience of residents, highlighting the emotional, social, and economic challenges encountered during the decision–making process. Special attention is given to the educational trajectories of students, particularly those from historically disenfranchised backgrounds, and the ways in which school closures may disrupt academic continuity, social capital, and future opportunities. Findings reveal that while some community members mobilize to advocate for their school and adapt to changing circumstances, others experience heightened vulnerability, diminished access to socially valued services, and a sense of loss regarding community identity and cohesion. The case of Central Bay High School underscores the critical role of schools as anchors in urban communities and calls for more inclusive, equity-centered approaches to educational policy and planning.
ISBN
9798290970837
Recommended Citation
Pierson, Gary. (2025). Community Impact of School Closure: Implications for Access to Socially Valued Resources and Services in an Urban Community. CGU Theses & Dissertations, 1005. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/1005.
