How many Black students were enrolled in New London County school districts in 2023-24 school year?

There were 2,333 Black students enrolled in New London County school districts in the 2023-24 school year, 2.6% more than the previous year, according to the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Data showed that New London County school districts welcomed 34,661 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, Black students comprised 6.7% of the student body to be the least represented ethnicity in the county districts.

Among the 24 districts in New London County, Norwich School District recorded the highest enrollment of Black students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of 617 students.

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

Student enrollment has been dropping in Connecticut’s public schools for over a decade now. With the exception of a slight relief in the 2021-22 school year, schools in the state have lost more than 30,000 students since 2014. 

A 2022 survey revealed that nearly 75% of Connecticut teachers were dissatisfied with their working conditions, and a similar percentage considered leaving the profession earlier than planned. Stress and burnout were cited as significant concerns.

Between 2015 and 2021, Connecticut experienced a 16% decrease in the number of graduates completing teacher preparation programs, dropping from 2,132 to 1,788. This decline contributes to the ongoing teacher shortage in the state.