Capitol News

There were eight African American students enrolled in Bellevue Community Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 38.5% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Bellevue Community Schools welcomed 590 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1.4% of the student body, making them the fourth most represented ethnicity in the district.

Bellevue Community Schools roughly covers two schools within Eaton County and has its main office in Bellevue.

Among the two schools in Bellevue Community Schools, Bellevue Junior-Senior High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of five 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 widening. Black and Hispanic students' average math proficiency dropped by 7% in 2022, to 13.5% and 28.2%, respectively.

Year	Total District Enrollment	Total African American Students	African American %
2022-23	590	8	1.4%
2021-22	607	13	2.1%
2020-21	615	15	2.4%
2019-20	591	16	2.7%
2018-19	600	15	2.5%
2017-18	600	17	2.8%
2016-17	608	16	2.6%
2015-16	569	16	2.8%