Sturgis-Coldwater News

There were 52 African American students enrolled in Branch County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 4% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Branch County welcomed 6,517 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 0.8% of the student body to be the fourth highest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 16 schools in Branch County, Coldwater High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 12 students.

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 have widened. Black and Hispanic students' average math proficiency dropped by 7% in 2022, to 13.5% and 28.2%, respectively.

School name	% of African American students enrolment	Total enrollment
Coldwater High School	1.3	944
Larsen Elementary School	1.9	416
Legg Middle School	1.2	653
Pansophia Academy	1.2	433
Jefferson Elementary School	1.1	370
Lakeland Elementary School	1.1	373
Jennings Elementary School	0.7	435
Waldron Learning Center	1.1	264
Quincy High School	0.5	391
Union City Elementary School	0.3	353
Union City Middle School	0.4	276
Anderson Elementary School	0.5	220
Quincy Middle School	0	323
Union City High School	0	293
Bronson Junior-Senior High School	0	544
Ryan Elementary School	0	229