Tri-City Sun

There were six African American students enrolled in Merrill Community Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 200% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Merrill Community Schools welcomed 522 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1.1% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

Merrill Community Schools roughly covers three schools within Saginaw County and has its main office in Merrill.

Among the three schools in Merrill Community Schools, Merrill Elementary School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of five 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 African American Students	African American %
2022-23	522	6	1.1%
2021-22	518	2	0.4%
2020-21	545	1	0.2%
2019-20	555	2	0.4%
2018-19	581	1	0.2%
2017-18	611	1	0.2%
2016-17	626	1	0.2%