North Michigan News

There were 21 African American students enrolled in Antrim County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 12.5% less than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Antrim County welcomed 2,767 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 0.8% of the student body to be the third lowest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 13 schools in Antrim County, Ellsworth Community School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of seven 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
Ellsworth Community School	3	230
Mancelona Middle School	1.3	236
Elk Rapids High School	0.6	359
Lakeland Elementary School	0.6	311
Mancelona Elementary School	0.7	298
Central Lake Public Schools	0.4	237
Alba School	1	101
Bellaire Middle-High School	0.7	144
North Central Academy Campus	0.6	176
Mancelona High School	0.4	252
Cherryland Middle School	0	285
John R. Rodger Elementary School	0	111
Sunrise Academy	0	27