Berrien County Education: Which district had most students enrolled in schools in 2022-23 school year?

MI Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael F. Rice 2023 | Michigan Department of Education

By St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

Jan 11, 2024

Berrien Springs Public Schools had the highest enrollment among Berrien County districts, welcoming 4,358 students during the 2022-23 school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2022-23 school year, 51.8% of them were girls, and 48.2% were boys.

Data also showed that most of the students were white, representing 57% of the Berrien Springs Public Schools total enrollment.

Among the 20 districts in Berrien County, Niles Community Schools ranked second in enrollment numbers with 3,313 students, while St. Joseph Public Schools welcomed 2,965 students and ranked third in the 2022-23 school year.

Berrien Springs Public Schools roughly covers schools within Berrien County, with its main office in Berrien Springs.

In the previous school year, Berrien Springs Public Schools also had the highest number of students among Berrien County schools.

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.

Enrollment in Berrien County Over 8 Years

Enrollment in Berrien County Districts During 2022-23 School Year

District	City (Main Office)	Total Enrollment
Berrien Springs Public Schools	Berrien Springs	4,358
Niles Community Schools	Niles	3,313
St. Joseph Public Schools	St. Joseph	2,965
Lakeshore School District (Berrien)	Stevensville	2,688
Buchanan Community Schools	Buchanan	1,566
Watervliet School District	Watervliet	1,452
Benton Harbor Area Schools	Benton Harbor	1,448
Brandywine Community Schools	Niles	1,304
Coloma Community Schools	Coloma	1,161
Bridgman Public Schools	Bridgman	849
Berrien RESA	Berrien Springs	806
Countryside Academy	Benton Harbor	758
Eau Claire Public Schools	Eau Claire	654
New Buffalo Area Schools	New Buffalo	536
River Valley School District	Three Oaks	497
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy	Benton Harbor	442
Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy	Benton Harbor	217
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan	Benton Harbor	92
Hagar Township School District #6	Riverside	73
Sodus Township School District #5	Sodus	65