Sturgis-Coldwater News

There were 20 American Indian students enrolled in St. Joseph County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 20% less 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, American Indian students comprised 0.2% of the student body to be the second lowest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 31 schools in St. Joseph County, Burr Oak Virtual Academy recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of six 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 American Indian students enrolment	Total enrollment
Burr Oak Virtual Academy	1.9	320
Three Rivers High School	0.6	676
Three Rivers Middle School	0.4	495
Centreville Elementary School	0.4	488
Centreville Junior Senior High School	0.2	405
Constantine High School	0.2	402
Colon High School	0.4	271
Pathfinder Educational Center	1.2	86
Mendon Elementary School	0.5	200
Wenzel School	0.7	147
Sturgis High School	0	973
Sturgis Middle School	0	600
Andrews Elementary School	0	281
Park Elementary School	0	273
Ruth Hoppin School	0	294
Eastwood School	0	643
Wall School	0	317
Mendon Middle/High School	0	258
Eastside Elementary School	0	270
White Pigeon Junior-Senior High School	0	396
Norton Elementary School	0	247
Riverside Elementary School	0	272
Colon Elementary School	0	254
Constantine Middle School	0	273
Nottawa Community School	0	192
Constantine Alternative Education	0	84
Burr Oak High School	0	66
Central Elementary School	0	355
Burr Oak Elementary School	0	152
Congress School	0	170
Three Rivers Partnership	0	5