St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

There were 397 Hispanic students enrolled in Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren) in the 2022-23 school year, a 3.9% decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Data showed that Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren) welcomed 998 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, Hispanic students made up 39.8% of the student body, making them the second most represented ethnicity in the district.

Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren) roughly covers four schools within Van Buren County and has its main office in Bangor.

Among the four schools in Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren), South Walnut Elementary School recorded the highest enrollment of Hispanic students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 139 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	998	397	39.8%
2021-22	1,043	413	39.6%
2020-21	1,038	393	37.9%
2019-20	1,104	417	37.8%
2018-19	1,118	425	38%
2017-18	1,152	416	36.1%
2016-17	1,221	439	36%
2015-16	1,239	443	35.8%