West Central Michigan News

There were six African American students enrolled in Marion Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 50% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Marion Public Schools welcomed 419 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1.4% of the student body, making them the third most represented ethnicity in the district.

Marion Public Schools roughly covers two schools within Osceola County and has its main office in Marion.

Among the two schools in Marion Public Schools, Marion High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of four 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	419	6	1.4%
2021-22	433	4	0.9%
2020-21	410	8	2%
2019-20	409	6	1.5%
2018-19	421	7	1.7%
2017-18	445	6	1.3%
2016-17	472	6	1.3%
2015-16	499	6	1.2%