Tempe Lures More Kyrene Families as KB Home Relocates Headquarters

Kyrene School District sees enrollment decline as parents choose nearby districts, while KB Home cites lower costs and business-friendly climate in move to Tempe

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:07am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic school bus icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the competitive landscape of public education in the region.As families in the Kyrene School District increasingly choose alternative public schools, the district must adapt its offerings to retain students and maintain its role as a leading education provider.Tempe Today

A new study shows the Kyrene School District is losing both population and market share as more families choose alternatives like Tempe Elementary and Chandler Unified. Meanwhile, homebuilder KB Home is moving its corporate headquarters from Los Angeles to Tempe's Hayden Ferry Lakeside campus, citing lower costs and a business-friendly climate as factors in the relocation.

Why it matters

The enrollment decline in Kyrene highlights the competitive landscape for public schools in the region, as parents seek out options that best fit their children's needs. KB Home's headquarters move also reinforces Tempe's growing appeal for major employers, contributing to the city's economic transformation.

The details

Researchers found Kyrene is losing both population share and market share, prompting officials to explore new programs, predictive tools, and more direct engagement with families to keep students from leaving. Meanwhile, KB Home cited lower costs, a business-friendly climate, and strong Phoenix-area growth as reasons for relocating its corporate headquarters from Los Angeles to Tempe's Hayden Ferry Lakeside campus starting in spring 2027.

  • A new study on Kyrene enrollment trends was recently released.
  • KB Home plans to move its headquarters to Tempe in spring 2027.

The players

Kyrene School District

A public school district serving parts of Tempe, Chandler, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Tempe Elementary

A public school district serving the city of Tempe, Arizona.

Chandler Unified

A public school district serving the city of Chandler, Arizona.

KB Home

A major homebuilder that is relocating its corporate headquarters from Los Angeles to Tempe, Arizona.

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What’s next

Kyrene School District officials are expected to unveil new initiatives aimed at retaining students and families in the coming months.

The takeaway

The shifting enrollment patterns and corporate relocations highlight the competitive landscape in the Tempe-Chandler-Phoenix region, where public schools and cities are vying to attract and retain families and businesses.