Lewiston Times

There were 2,518 Black or African American students enrolled in Androscoggin County ditricts in the 2022-23 school year, 6% more than the previous year, according to the Maine Department of Education.

Data showed that Black or African American students made up 15.5% of the 16,235 students in Androscoggin County ditricts during the 2022-23 school year. They were the second most represented ethnicity.

Among the eight districts in Androscoggin County, Lewiston Public Schools recorded the highest enrollment of Black or African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 2,031 students.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Androscoggin 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
Lewiston Public Schools	2,031	5,054	40.2%
Auburn Public Schools	388	3,282	11.8%
Regional School Unit 52/Maine School Administrative District 52	26	1,966	1.3%
Regional School Unit 16	9	1,683	0.5%
Regional School Unit 73	19	1,432	1.3%
Lisbon Public Schools	26	1,299	2%
Regional School Unit 04	10	1,272	0.8%
Acadia Academy	9	247	3.6%