Capitol News

There were 1,365 African American students enrolled in Eaton County districts in the 2022-23 school year, 1.9% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Eaton County welcomed 16,456 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 8.3% of the student body to be the second most represented ethnicity in the county districts.

Among the 14 districts in Eaton County, Waverly Community Schools recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 1,008 students.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Eaton County.

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

District	% of African American Students Enrolled	Total Enrollment
Bellevue Community Schools	1.4%	590
Charlotte Public Schools	2.3%	2,378
Eaton RESA	2.3%	298
Eaton Rapids Public Schools	1.1%	1,982
Grand Ledge Public Schools	3.5%	5,096
Insight School of Michigan	23.3%	653
Island City Academy	1.5%	201
LifeTech Academy	11%	400
Maple Valley Schools	0.4%	912
Olivet Community Schools	0.8%	1,265
Potterville Public Schools	2.1%	753
Relevant Academy of Eaton County	7.9%	63
Waverly Community Schools	35%	2,884