South Michigan News

There were 48 African American students enrolled in Western School District in the 2022-23 school year, a 12.7% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Western School District welcomed 2,757 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 1.7% of the student body, making them the fourth most represented ethnicity in the district.

Western School District roughly covers six schools within Jackson County and has its main office in Parma.

Among the six schools in Western School District, Western Middle School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 16 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	2,757	48	1.7%
2021-22	2,763	55	2%
2020-21	2,840	60	2.1%
2019-20	2,912	63	2.2%
2018-19	2,952	60	2%
2017-18	2,911	59	2%
2016-17	2,931	58	2%
2015-16	2,946	68	2.3%