UP Gazette

There were six African American students enrolled in West Iron County Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, the same number as the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that West Iron County Public Schools welcomed 846 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 0.7% of the student body, making them the third least represented ethnicity in the district.

West Iron County Public Schools roughly covers three schools within Iron County and has its main office in Iron River.

Among the three schools in West Iron County Public Schools, West Iron County High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of five 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	846	6	0.7%
2021-22	823	6	0.7%
2020-21	796	3	0.4%
2019-20	866	4	0.5%
2018-19	831	3	0.4%
2017-18	841	2	0.2%