Battle Creek Times

There were seven American Indian students enrolled in Pennfield Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 30% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Pennfield Schools welcomed 1,986 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, American Indian students made up 0.4% of the student body, making them the second least represented ethnicity in the district.

Pennfield Schools roughly covers five schools within Calhoun County and has its main office in Battle Creek.

Among the five schools in Pennfield Schools, Pennfield Purdy School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of three 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 American Indian Students	American Indian %
2022-23	1,986	7	0.4%
2021-22	2,023	10	0.5%
2020-21	2,013	12	0.6%
2019-20	2,211	15	0.7%
2018-19	2,083	15	0.7%
2017-18	2,230	17	0.8%
2016-17	2,201	20	0.9%
2015-16	2,175	21	1%