South Kent News

There were 65 African American students enrolled in East Grand Rapids Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 3% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that East Grand Rapids Public Schools welcomed 2,946 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 2.2% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

East Grand Rapids Public Schools roughly covers five schools within Kent County and has its main office in Grand Rapids.

Among the five schools in East Grand Rapids Public Schools, East Grand Rapids High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 22 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	2,946	65	2.2%
2021-22	2,895	67	2.3%
2020-21	2,818	69	2.4%
2019-20	2,895	66	2.3%
2018-19	2,886	72	2.5%
2017-18	2,910	88	3%
2016-17	2,939	91	3.1%
2015-16	2,960	93	3.1%