North Michigan News

There were 76 American Indian students enrolled in Suttons Bay Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 6.2% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Suttons Bay Public Schools welcomed 578 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students made up 13.1% of the student body, making them the third most represented ethnicity in the district.

Suttons Bay Public Schools roughly covers three schools within Leelanau County and has its main office in Suttons Bay.

Among the three schools in Suttons Bay Public Schools, Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 43 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 American Indian Students	American Indian %
2022-23	578	76	13.1%
2021-22	587	81	13.8%
2020-21	615	98	15.9%
2019-20	593	98	16.5%
2018-19	612	95	15.5%
2017-18	560	86	15.4%
2016-17	526	88	16.7%
2015-16	604	88	14.6%