Holland Reporter

There were 66 African American students enrolled in Allendale Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 29.4% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Allendale Public Schools welcomed 2,636 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 2.5% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

Allendale Public Schools roughly covers six schools within Ottawa County and has its main office in Allendale.

Among the six schools in Allendale Public Schools, Allendale High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 17 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	2,636	66	2.5%
2021-22	2,597	51	2%
2020-21	2,621	48	1.8%
2019-20	2,668	46	1.7%
2018-19	2,700	40	1.5%
2017-18	2,669	40	1.5%
2016-17	2,627	32	1.2%
2015-16	2,637	35	1.3%