South Maine News

There were 758 Black or African American students enrolled in York County ditricts in the 2022-23 school year, 39.3% more than the previous year, according to the Maine Department of Education.

Data showed that Black or African American students made up 2.8% of the 27,037 students in York County ditricts during the 2022-23 school year. They were the fourth most represented ethnicity.

Among the 14 districts in York County, Biddeford Public Schools recorded the highest enrollment of Black or African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 221 students.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with York 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 06/Maine School Administrative District 06	38	3,283	1.2%
Sanford Public Schools	108	3,127	3.5%
Regional School Unit 57/Maine School Administrative District 57	21	2,911	0.7%
Regional School Unit 60/Maine School Administrative District 60	17	2,867	0.6%
Saco Public Schools	209	2,759	7.6%
Regional School Unit 21	32	2,430	1.3%
Biddeford Public Schools	221	2,311	9.6%
Regional School Unit 35/Maine School Administrative District 35	22	2,118	1%
York Public Schools	9	1,531	0.6%
Wells-Ogunquit Community School District	22	1,411	1.6%
Kittery Public Schools	21	961	2.2%
Regional School Unit 23	34	672	5.1%
Dayton Public Schools	4	331	1.2%
Acton Public Schools	0	325	--