St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

There were 164 Hispanic students enrolled in Lawrence Public Schools in the 2022-23 school year, a 8.9% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Lawrence Public Schools welcomed 419 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, Hispanic students made up 39.1% of the student body, making them the second most represented ethnicity in the district.

Lawrence Public Schools roughly covers two schools within Van Buren County and has its main office in Lawrence.

Among the two schools in Lawrence Public Schools, Lawrence Elementary School recorded the highest enrollment of Hispanic students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 84 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 Hispanic Students	Hispanic %
2022-23	419	164	39.1%
2021-22	458	180	39.3%
2020-21	470	172	36.6%
2019-20	526	196	37.3%
2018-19	570	210	36.8%
2017-18	571	212	37.1%
2016-17	622	230	37%
2015-16	632	230	36.4%