Dr. Michael F. Rice Michigan superintendent of public instruction | https://radio.wcmu.org/
Dr. Michael F. Rice Michigan superintendent of public instruction | https://radio.wcmu.org/
The county's data showed that ninth grade had the largest classes with 2,769 students during the 2024-25 school year, while pre-kindergarten saw the smallest enrollment that year with just 737 students.
Countywide, Berrien Springs Public Schools welcomed the most students during the 2024-25 school year.
The main offices of all districts mentioned in the article are located in cities associated with Berrien County.
In the 2024-25 school year, 1,427,386 students enrolled in Michigan schools, a figure 4.8% below the pre-pandemic total of 1,499,552 in 2019-20, with white students seeing the largest decline of approximately 3%.
Academic performance in Michigan remains below pre-pandemic levels. According to the 2024 NAEP results, the share of students reaching the basic benchmark in core subjects is about 10 percentage points lower than in 2019—except for fourth-grade math, which saw a decline of just 2 points.
Achievement gaps between ethnic groups also persist. On average, Hispanic students scored 15 points below white students. The gap was even wider for Black students, who scored about 30 points lower than their white peers.
The 2025 education budget, approved by Gov. Whitmer last July, totals $23.4 billion—$900 million less than the previous year’s budget. K-12 schools are working with $20.6 billion, a reduction from the $21.5 billion allocated in 2024.
However, some school superintendents and educators were concerned about the new budget. "Schools cannot function properly without adequate funding for safety and mental health," stated Rep. David Martin, R-Davison, referring to a significant cut of around $301 million from school safety and mental health programs. Based on the current bill, the program will receive just $26.5 million.
| District | Total enrollment in 2023-24 | Total enrollment in 2024-25 | % Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berrien Springs Public Schools | 4,734 | 4,996 | 5.5% |
| Niles Community Schools | 3,336 | 3,151 | -5.5% |
| St. Joseph Public Schools | 2,914 | 2,930 | 0.5% |
| Lakeshore School District (Berrien) | 2,672 | 2,635 | -1.4% |
| Buchanan Community Schools | 1,558 | 1,577 | 1.2% |
| Watervliet School District | 1,436 | 1,423 | -0.9% |
| Brandywine Community Schools | 1,321 | 1,301 | -1.5% |
| Benton Harbor Area Schools | 1,314 | 1,241 | -5.6% |
| Coloma Community Schools | 1,181 | 1,095 | -7.3% |
| Berrien RESA | 811 | 948 | 16.9% |
| Bridgman Public Schools | 822 | 810 | -1.5% |
| Countryside Academy | 752 | 770 | 2.4% |
| Eau Claire Public Schools | 616 | 587 | -4.7% |
| New Buffalo Area Schools | 508 | 516 | 1.6% |
| River Valley School District | 484 | 460 | -5% |
| Benton Harbor Charter School Academy | 455 | 418 | -8.1% |
| Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy | 215 | 227 | 5.6% |
| Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan | 121 | 112 | -7.4% |
| Hagar Township School District #6 | 73 | 72 | -1.4% |
| Sodus Township School District #5 | 60 | 70 | 16.7% |
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