UP Gazette

There were 252 American Indian students enrolled in Baraga County schools 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 highest represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the three schools in Baraga County, Baraga School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 155 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 have widened. Black and Hispanic students' average math proficiency dropped by 7% in 2022, to 13.5% and 28.2%, respectively.

School name	% of American Indian students enrolment	Total enrollment
Baraga School	48.9	317
L'Anse Area School	18.9	513
Arvon Township School	0	10