St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

There were 25,383 students enrolled in Berrien County school districts in the 2023-24 school year, 0.6% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

The county's data showed that ninth grade had the biggest classes with 2,747 students during the 2023-24 school year, while pre-kindergarten saw the smallest enrollment that year with just 610 students.

Countywide, Berrien Springs Public Schools welcomed the most students during the 2023-24 school year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the article are located in cities associated with Berrien County.

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.

District	Total enrollment in 2022-23	Total enrollment in 2023-24	% Change from Previous Year
Berrien Springs Public Schools	4,358	4,734	8.6
Niles Community Schools	3,313	3,336	0.7
St. Joseph Public Schools	2,965	2,914	-1.7
Lakeshore School District (Berrien)	2,688	2,672	-0.6
Buchanan Community Schools	1,566	1,558	-0.5
Watervliet School District	1,452	1,436	-1.1
Brandywine Community Schools	1,304	1,321	1.3
Benton Harbor Area Schools	1,448	1,314	-9.3
Coloma Community Schools	1,161	1,181	1.7
Bridgman Public Schools	849	822	-3.2
Berrien RESA	806	811	0.6
Countryside Academy	758	752	-0.8
Eau Claire Public Schools	654	616	-5.8
New Buffalo Area Schools	536	508	-5.2
River Valley School District	497	484	-2.6
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy	442	455	2.9
Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy	217	215	-0.9
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan	92	121	31.5
Hagar Township School District #6	73	73	0
Sodus Township School District #5	65	60	-7.7