UP Gazette

There were 12 African American students enrolled in Rudyard Area Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 25% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Rudyard Area Schools welcomed 603 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students made up 2% of the student body, making them the third most represented ethnicity in the district.

Rudyard Area Schools roughly covers one school within Chippewa County and has its main office in Rudyard.

Rudyard Area Schools was the only school in the district which enrolled African American students, welcoming 12 students in the 2022-23 school year.

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	603	12	2%
2021-22	627	16	2.6%
2020-21	618	15	2.4%
2019-20	594	16	2.7%
2018-19	614	18	2.9%
2017-18	608	19	3.1%
2016-17	668	23	3.4%
2015-16	693	21	3%