West Central Michigan News

Among the many ethnicities represented in Mason County schools, white was the most prevalent ethnicity among Mason County students in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Of the 3,931 students attending Mason County schools, 84.8% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 9.1% of Mason County students.

In the previous school year, white students were still the most common group in Mason County, representing 84.8% of the student body.

Ludington High School and O. J. DeJonge Middle School had the most diverse student body in Mason County including African American, American Indian, Asian, Hawaiian, Hispanic, multiracial, and white.

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 0.5% when compared to the previous year.

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.

School name	Most represented ethnicity	Percent of Total Student Body	Total Enrollment
Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High School	White	73.6%	53
Developmental Classrooms - West Shore ESD	White	80.9%	110
Foster School	White	81.1%	900
Gateway to Success Academy	White	74.8%	107
Ludington High School	White	81%	695
Mason County Central High School	White	87.7%	407
Mason County Central Middle School	White	90.6%	297
Mason County Central Upper Elementary School	White	91.2%	249
Mason County Eastern Elementary School	White	91.5%	211
Mason County Eastern Junior High/High School	White	88.3%	171
O. J. DeJonge Middle School	White	83.6%	477
Scottville Elementary School	White	92.5%	254