Tri-City Sun

There were 14 African American students enrolled in Alma Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 12.5% decrease 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, African American students made up 0.7% of the student body, making them the fourth most 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, Alma Senior High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of six 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	1,873	14	0.7%
2021-22	1,894	16	0.8%
2020-21	1,954	22	1.1%
2019-20	2,027	26	1.3%
2018-19	2,095	30	1.4%
2017-18	2,118	25	1.2%
2016-17	2,128	19	0.9%
2015-16	2,169	22	1%