Mid Coast Today

There were 61 Black or African American students enrolled in Sagadahoc County ditricts in the 2022-23 school year, 22% more than the previous year, according to the Maine Department of Education.

Data showed that Black or African American students made up 1.4% of the 4,215 students in Sagadahoc County ditricts during the 2022-23 school year. They were the fourth most represented ethnicity.

Among the four districts in Sagadahoc County, Regional School Unit 01 - LKRSU recorded the highest enrollment of Black or African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 41 students.

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

District Name	Black or African American Students Enrollment	Total Enrollment	% of Total Enrollment
Regional School Unit 75/Maine School Administrative District 75	19	2,362	0.8%
Regional School Unit 01 - LKRSU	41	1,626	2.5%
West Bath Public Schools	1	222	0.5%
Monhegan Plantation School Department	0	5	--