Sturgis-Coldwater News

There were eight American Indian students enrolled in Branch County schools in the 2024-25 school year, 14.3% 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, American Indian students comprised 0.1% of the student body to be the second least represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 16 schools in Branch County, Legg Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, Lakeland Elementary School, and Union City Elementary School recorded the largest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2024-25 school year, with a total of two 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.

School name	% of American Indian students enrolment	Total enrollment
Union City Elementary School	0.6%	359
Jefferson Elementary School	0.5%	378
Lakeland Elementary School	0.5%	375
Legg Middle School	0.3%	616
Coldwater High School	0%	981
Larsen Elementary School	0%	463
Quincy High School	0%	346
Bronson Junior-Senior High School	0%	530
Union City Middle School	0%	245
Union City High School	0%	305
Quincy Middle School	0%	345
Waldron Learning Center	0%	256
Ryan Elementary School	0%	217
Pansophia Academy	0%	514
Jennings Elementary School	0%	408
Anderson Elementary School	0%	216