UP Gazette

There were 33 American Indian students enrolled in Luce County districts in the 2022-23 school year, 17.5% less than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Luce County welcomed 500 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students comprised 6.6% of the student body to be the second most represented ethnicity in the county districts.

Tahquamenon Area Schools was the only district in the county which enrolled American Indian students, welcoming 33 students in the 2022-23 school year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Luce 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
Tahquamenon Area Schools	6.5%	504