South Kent News

There were 432 African American students enrolled in Godwin Heights Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 4.2% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Godwin Heights Public Schools welcomed 2,026 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 21.3% of the student body, making them the second most represented ethnicity in the district.

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

Among the five schools in Godwin Heights Public Schools, Godwin Heights Senior High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 145 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	2,026	432	21.3%
2021-22	2,033	451	22.2%
2020-21	2,029	480	23.7%
2019-20	2,064	473	22.9%
2018-19	2,076	446	21.5%
2017-18	2,177	427	19.6%
2016-17	2,203	441	20%
2015-16	2,210	441	20%