Sturgis-Coldwater News

The majority of students in St. Joseph County districts were white in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Of the 9,824 students attending St. Joseph County district schools, 75.6% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnic group among St. Joseph County's districts (15%).

In the previous school year, white students were still the most common group in St. Joseph County, representing 75.4% of the student body.

Sturgis Public Schools had the most even distribution of races among the county districts, including 59.2% white students, 35.1% Hispanic students, 2.7% multiracial students, 2% African American students, 0.9% Asian students, 0.1% Hawaiian students, and 0% American Indian students.

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county dropped 2.8% compared to the previous year.

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	Most Prevalent Ethnicity	Percent of Total Student Body	Total Enrollment
Burr Oak Community School District	White	78.6%	411
Centreville Public Schools	White	90%	852
Colon Community School District	White	94%	533
Constantine Public School District	White	87.6%	1,310
Mendon Community School District	White	89.9%	455
Nottawa Community School	White	90.1%	171
St. Joseph County ISD	White	70.2%	409
Sturgis Public Schools	White	59.2%	2,967
Three Rivers Community Schools	White	72.4%	2,324
White Pigeon Community Schools	White	87.4%	733