West Central Michigan News

There were 40 African American students enrolled in Osceola County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 29.8% less than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Osceola County welcomed 3,726 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 1.1% of the student body to be the fourth highest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 13 schools in Osceola County, Lighthouse Academy - Eagle Village recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of eight 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 have widened. Black and Hispanic students' average math proficiency dropped by 7% in 2022, to 13.5% and 28.2%, respectively.

School name	% of African American students enrolment	Total enrollment
Lighthouse Academy - Eagle Village	22.2	36
Pine River Area High School	1.7	417
G. T. Norman Elementary School	0.8	515
Reed City Middle School	0.9	442
Marion High School	1.7	235
Reed City High School	0.5	437
Evart Middle School	0.8	255
Evart High School	0.7	281
Marion Elementary School	1.1	184
Evart Elementary School	0.6	353
Pineview Homes	14.3	14
Pine River Area Elementary School	0.3	295
Pine River Area Middle School	0	262