Holland Reporter

There were 121 multiracial students enrolled in Plainwell Community Schools in the 2022-23 school year, an 8% increase 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, multiracial students made up 4.6% of the student body, making them the third 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, Starr Elementary School recorded the highest enrollment of multiracial students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 38 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 Multiracial Students	Multiracial %
2022-23	2,623	121	4.6%
2021-22	2,667	112	4.2%
2020-21	2,653	91	3.4%
2019-20	2,815	89	3.2%
2018-19	2,780	73	2.6%
2017-18	2,820	56	2%
2016-17	2,782	43	1.5%
2015-16	2,744	35	1.3%