Quantcast

Down East Times

Friday, January 17, 2025

Enrollment Analysis: American Indian or Alaskan Native students comprised 11.6% of Washington County student body in 2022-23 school year

Webp maine commissioner of education pender makin 2023

ME Commissioner of Education Pender Makin 2023 | Maine Department of Education

ME Commissioner of Education Pender Makin 2023 | Maine Department of Education

There were 467 American Indian or Alaskan Native students enrolled in Washington County ditricts in the 2022-23 school year, 618.5% more than the previous year, according to the Maine Department of Education.

Data showed that American Indian or Alaskan Native students made up 11.6% of the 4,042 students in Washington County ditricts during the 2022-23 school year. They were the second most represented ethnicity.

Among the 42 districts in Washington County, Pleasant Point recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian or Alaskan Native students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 159 students.

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

Recent data from Maine's public schools for the 2023-2024 school year reveal a noticeable growth in Hispanic, Black and multiracial enrollment over the past decade. While over 85% of students still identify as white, this shows a slow but steady increase in diversity within the state schools.

Despite these shifts, Maine's public school enrollment remains about 4% below pre-pandemic levels, despite a slight rebound from the sharp drop during the 2020-21 school year. The decline is partly due to an increase in homeschooling and more students completing high school early through college courses and adult education.

A spokesperson for the Maine Department of Education also mentioned in an interview with Maine Public some other pandemic-related factors persist, with "some parents choosing not to enroll younger children in school and older students who took on jobs to support their families during the pandemic and who are still counted on to provide that support."

Ethnicities in Washington County in 2022-23 School Year

White (79.4%)American Indian or Alaskan Native (11.6%)Ethnicities < 5% (9%)

Enrollment Demographics in Washington County Ditricts During 2022-23 School Year

District NameAmerican Indian or Alaskan Native Students EnrollmentTotal Enrollment% of Total Enrollment
Regional School Unit 37/Maine School Administrative District 3716030.2%
Calais Public Schools144043.5%
MacHias Public Schools0290--
East MacHias Public Schools0250--
Baileyville Public Schools22180.9%
Pleasant Point15919282.8%
Indian Township14518279.7%
Cherryfield Public Schools0146--
Regional School Unit 85/Maine School Administrative District 190129--
Princeton Public Schools1312610.3%
Eastport Public Schools1412411.3%
Indian Island9311680.2%
Regional School Unit 84/Maine School Administrative District 1411110.9%
Jonesport Public Schools099--
Perry Public Schools3923.3%
Cutler Public Schools1871.1%
Pembroke Public Schools98710.3%
Marshfield Public Schools085--
MacHiasport Public Schools1801.3%
Jonesboro Public Schools079--
Robbinston Public Schools6738.2%
Moosabec Community School District067--
Alexander Public Schools048--
Whiting Public Schools043--
Beals Public Schools1412.4%
Dennysville Public Schools034--
Charlotte Public Schools1313.2%
Whitneyville Public Schools029--
Baring Plantation Public Schools1254%
Northfield Public Schools022--
Roque Bluffs Public Schools021--
Cooper Public Schools1205%
Orient Public Schools016--
East Range Community School District014--
Wesley Public Schools013--
Deblois Public Schools012--
Talmadge Public Schools09--
Waite Public Schools09--
Grand Lake Stream Plantation School Department1520%
Beddington Public Schools04--
Meddybemps Public Schools04--
Crawford Public Schools02--

MORE NEWS