St. Joseph County Education: 380 African American students were enrolled in schools in 2023-24 school year

MI Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael F. Rice 2023 | Michigan Department of Education

By Sturgis-Coldwater News

Nov 1, 2024

There were 380 African American students enrolled in St. Joseph County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 6.1% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that St. Joseph County welcomed 9,860 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 3.9% of the student body to be the fourth highest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 31 schools in St. Joseph County, Burr Oak Virtual Academy recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of 62 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.

Ethnicities in St. Joseph County in 2023-24 School Year

Enrollment Demographics in St. Joseph County Schools During 2023-24 School Year

School name	% of African American students enrolment	Total enrollment
Burr Oak Virtual Academy	19.4	320
Three Rivers High School	7.4	676
Three Rivers Middle School	8.9	495
Andrews Elementary School	12.5	281
Park Elementary School	11.7	273
Ruth Hoppin School	8.8	294
Eastwood School	3.1	643
Sturgis High School	2	973
Sturgis Middle School	2.2	600
Norton Elementary School	4.9	247
Wall School	2.8	317
Riverside Elementary School	2.9	272
Mendon Middle/High School	2.7	258
Colon Elementary School	2.8	254
Constantine High School	1.5	402
Colon High School	2.2	271
Centreville Elementary School	1	488
Centreville Junior Senior High School	1.2	405
Eastside Elementary School	1.1	270
Constantine Middle School	1.1	273
Nottawa Community School	1	192
Pathfinder Educational Center	2.3	86
White Pigeon Junior-Senior High School	0.3	396
Mendon Elementary School	0.5	200
Constantine Alternative Education	1.2	84
Burr Oak High School	1.5	66
Central Elementary School	0	355
Burr Oak Elementary School	0	152
Congress School	0	170
Wenzel School	0	147
Three Rivers Partnership	0	5