Holland Reporter

There were 91 African American students enrolled in Zeeland Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Zeeland Public Schools welcomed 6,010 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1.5% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

Zeeland Public Schools roughly covers 12 schools within Ottawa County and has its main office in Zeeland.

Among the 12 schools in Zeeland Public Schools, Zeeland West High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 18 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	6,010	91	1.5%
2021-22	6,100	86	1.4%
2020-21	6,072	79	1.3%
2019-20	6,308	84	1.3%
2018-19	6,241	83	1.3%
2017-18	6,107	81	1.3%
2016-17	5,978	79	1.3%
2015-16	5,880	74	1.3%