West Central Michigan News

There were 13 Asian students enrolled in Big Rapids Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 7.1% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Big Rapids Public Schools welcomed 2,363 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, Asian students made up 0.6% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

Big Rapids Public Schools roughly covers five schools within Mecosta County and has its main office in Big Rapids.

Among the five schools in Big Rapids Public Schools, Big Rapids High School recorded the highest enrollment of Asian students in the 2022-23 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 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 Asian Students	Asian %
2022-23	2,363	13	0.6%
2021-22	2,203	14	0.6%
2020-21	2,055	18	0.9%
2019-20	2,102	19	0.9%
2018-19	2,061	15	0.7%
2017-18	1,979	19	1%
2016-17	1,998	18	0.9%
2015-16	1,946	24	1.2%