Great Lakes Wire

There were 48,993 pre-kindergarten students enrolled in Michigan schools in the 2023-24 school year, 6.1% more than the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Within Michigan schools, most students were enrolled in 9th-grade, with the smallest amount of students seen in pre-kindergarten.

Statewide, Wayne County was the county with the highest enrollment numbers, welcoming 257,484 students in the 2023-24 school year.

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.

As of July 2024, Michigan Governor Whitmer has enacted the new education budget for 2025 into law. The new budget totals $23.4 billion, a decrease of approximately $900 million from the 2024 budget of $24.3 billion. Of the new funding, $20.6 billion will be allocated to K-12 schools, compared to $21.5 billion allocated for K-12 schools this year.

However, the new budget has raised concerns among school superintendents and educators. "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.