Sturgis-Coldwater News

There were 358 African American students enrolled in St. Joseph County districts in the 2022-23 school year, 2.3% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that St. Joseph County welcomed 9,824 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 3.6% of the student body to be the fourth most represented ethnicity in the county districts.

Among the 10 districts in St. Joseph County, Three Rivers Community Schools recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 210 students.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with St. Joseph County.

Overall student enrollment in Michigan remains below pre-pandemic levels, with white students experiencing the largest decline at 6.5%.

Academic performance has also suffered, with the state's average NAEP score dropping by 6.5 points and ethnic achievement gaps widening. Black and Hispanic students' average math proficiency dropped by 7% in 2022, to 13.5% and 28.2%, respectively.

District	% of African American Students Enrolled	Total Enrollment
Burr Oak Community School District	7.1%	411
Centreville Public Schools	1.3%	852
Colon Community School District	2.3%	533
Constantine Public School District	1.5%	1,310
Mendon Community School District	2.4%	455
Nottawa Community School	0.6%	171
St. Joseph County ISD	6.1%	409
Sturgis Public Schools	2%	2,967
Three Rivers Community Schools	9%	2,324
White Pigeon Community Schools	0.1%	733