Holland Reporter

There were 21 American Indian students enrolled in Wayland Union Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Wayland Union Schools welcomed 2,849 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students made up 0.7% of the student body, making them the second least represented ethnicity in the district.

Wayland Union Schools roughly covers seven schools within Allegan County and has its main office in Wayland.

Among the seven schools in Wayland Union Schools, Wayland High School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian 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 American Indian Students	American Indian %
2022-23	2,849	21	0.7%
2021-22	2,837	22	0.8%
2020-21	2,926	23	0.8%
2019-20	3,054	26	0.9%
2018-19	3,057	32	1%
2017-18	3,042	41	1.3%
2016-17	2,994	46	1.5%
2015-16	2,944	49	1.7%