North Michigan News

There were 27 American Indian students enrolled in Antrim County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 15.6% less than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Antrim County welcomed 2,840 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students comprised 1% of the student body to be the fourth highest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 13 schools in Antrim County, Cherryland Middle School and Elk Rapids High School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian 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 American Indian students enrolment	Total enrollment
Cherryland Middle School	3.1	257
Elk Rapids High School	2.1	380
Lakeland Elementary School	2.2	313
Central Lake Public Schools	0.8	247
Bellaire Middle-High School	0.7	150
Sunrise Academy	4.3	23
Ellsworth Community School	0	238
North Central Academy Campus	0	165
Mancelona High School	0	286
Mancelona Elementary School	0	328
John R. Rodger Elementary School	0	113
Alba School	0	96
Mancelona Middle School	0	244