UP Gazette

There were 252 American Indian students enrolled in Baraga County districts in the 2022-23 school year, 6% less than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Baraga County welcomed 840 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students comprised 30% of the student body to be the second most represented ethnicity in the county districts.

Among the three districts in Baraga County, Baraga Area Schools recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 155 students.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Baraga County.

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.

District	% of American Indian Students Enrolled	Total Enrollment
Baraga Area Schools	48.9%	317
L'Anse Area Schools	18.9%	513