You know, no one walks into a classroom thinking about mortgage rates. Not parents, not teachers, not the kids sitting in those tiny desks. But behind the scenes, behind the backpacks and bulletin boards, the ripple effects of the housing market are showing up in subtle, powerful ways.
As of April 2025, mortgage interest rates are ticking upward again, now hovering around 6.9% for 30-year fixed loans. To some, that might just sound like economic chatter.
But to families and educators, it raises real questions:
- Can a family still afford to move closer to a better school?
- Will rising monthly payments mean fewer dollars for after-school programs or tutoring?
- Will teachers, many of whom are already stretched thin, be able to afford living in the same neighborhoods as the kids they teach?
I’ve seen this play out over the years. When housing costs go up, mobility patterns change. Families who planned to relocate for a better school district might decide to stay put, even if it means sacrificing quality of education.
Others may be forced to downsize or relocate suddenly, disrupting a child’s school year midstream, which we know can lead to dips in academic progress and emotional well-being.
And let’s not forget about our fellow educators. I’ve had colleagues commute over an hour because housing in their district became unaffordable. Burnout creeps in faster when you’re pouring your heart into a classroom all day and then facing a long, stressful drive home to a too-small apartment. It’s hard to build strong school communities when the very people who nurture them can’t afford to live nearby.
What concerns me most, though, is how quietly this all happens. No one sends a newsletter saying, “Dear families, due to interest rates rising, expect more student turnover and stretched support systems this semester.” But that’s exactly what we should be talking about. Because when financial pressure grows at home, it inevitably walks through the school doors.
So what can we do?
This isn’t about solving the housing crisis overnight, but it is about paying attention.
Parents
If you’re feeling the pressure, talk to your child’s teacher. Transitions are easier when educators know what’s going on.
Teachers
Advocate for housing stipends or local partnerships that make it possible for you to live where you teach.
Schools
Consider how flexible enrollment policies and counseling services can support students dealing with housing instability.
Bottom line? Mortgage rates may seem like grown-up stuff, but they shape the world our kids are learning in. And as educators and parents, we owe it to them to see the full picture, even when it starts outside the school walls.
