Tri-City Sun

There were four American Indian students enrolled in Alma Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 33.3% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Alma Public Schools welcomed 1,873 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students made up 0.2% of the student body, making them the second least represented ethnicity in the district.

Alma Public Schools roughly covers five schools within Gratiot County and has its main office in Alma.

Among the five schools in Alma Public Schools, Donald L. Pavlik Middle School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of two 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	1,873	4	0.2%
2021-22	1,894	3	0.2%
2020-21	1,954	4	0.2%
2019-20	2,027	5	0.2%
2018-19	2,095	4	0.2%
2017-18	2,118	8	0.4%
2016-17	2,128	9	0.4%
2015-16	2,169	11	0.5%