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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Branch County Education: 39 Asian students were enrolled in schools in 2024-25 school year

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Dr. Michael F. Rice Michigan superintendent of public instruction | https://radio.wcmu.org/

Dr. Michael F. Rice Michigan superintendent of public instruction | https://radio.wcmu.org/

There were 39 Asian students enrolled in Branch County schools in the 2024-25 school year, 21.9% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Branch County welcomed 6,554 students during the 2024-25 school year. Among them, Asian students comprised 0.6% of the student body to be the third least represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 16 schools in Branch County, Coldwater High School and Legg Middle School recorded the largest enrollment of Asian students in the 2024-25 school year, with a total of seven students.

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,427,386 students enrolled in Michigan schools, a figure 4.8% below the pre-pandemic total of 1,499,552 in 2019-20, with white students seeing the largest decline of approximately 3%.

Academic performance in Michigan remains below pre-pandemic levels. According to the 2024 NAEP results, the share of students reaching the basic benchmark in core subjects is about 10 percentage points lower than in 2019—except for fourth-grade math, which saw a decline of just 2 points.

Achievement gaps between ethnic groups also persist. On average, Hispanic students scored 15 points below white students. The gap was even wider for Black students, who scored about 30 points lower than their white peers.

The 2025 education budget, approved by Gov. Whitmer last July, totals $23.4 billion—$900 million less than the previous year’s budget. K-12 schools are working with $20.6 billion, a reduction from the $21.5 billion allocated in 2024.

However, some school superintendents and educators were concerned about the new budget. "Schools cannot function properly without adequate funding for safety and mental health," stated Rep. David Martin, R-Davison, referring to a significant cut of around $301 million from school safety and mental health programs. Based on the current bill, the program will receive just $26.5 million.

Ethnicities in Branch County in 2024-25 School Year

White (82.8%)Hispanic (11.5%)Ethnicities < 5% (5.7%)

Enrollment Demographics in Branch County Schools During 2024-25 School Year

School name% of Asian students enrolmentTotal enrollment
Larsen Elementary School1.3%463
Legg Middle School1.1%616
Jefferson Elementary School1.1%378
Lakeland Elementary School0.8%375
Union City Middle School0.8%245
Coldwater High School0.7%981
Union City Elementary School0.6%359
Quincy High School0.6%346
Ryan Elementary School0.5%217
Bronson Junior-Senior High School0.4%530
Waldron Learning Center0.4%256
Union City High School0.3%305
Quincy Middle School0.3%345
Pansophia Academy0%514
Jennings Elementary School0%408
Anderson Elementary School0%216

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