Holland Reporter

There were 26 African American students enrolled in Plainwell Community Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 13.3% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Plainwell Community Schools welcomed 2,623 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.

Plainwell Community Schools roughly covers seven schools within Allegan County and has its main office in Plainwell.

Among the seven schools in Plainwell Community Schools, Plainwell Middle School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 10 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	2,623	26	1%
2021-22	2,667	30	1.1%
2020-21	2,653	41	1.5%
2019-20	2,815	33	1.2%
2018-19	2,780	29	1%
2017-18	2,820	34	1.2%
2016-17	2,782	40	1.4%
2015-16	2,744	41	1.5%