Holland Reporter

There were 24 African American students enrolled in Otsego Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 17.2% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Otsego Public Schools welcomed 2,363 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1% of the student body, making them the fourth most represented ethnicity in the district.

Otsego Public Schools roughly covers six schools within Allegan County and has its main office in Otsego.

Among the six schools in Otsego Public Schools, Otsego High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of eight 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	2,363	24	1%
2021-22	2,341	29	1.2%
2020-21	2,273	25	1.1%
2019-20	2,354	39	1.7%
2018-19	2,330	31	1.3%
2017-18	2,310	34	1.5%
2016-17	2,337	37	1.6%
2015-16	2,266	23	1%