News Photo by Crystal Nelson Pictured from left to right, siblings third-grader Isaac Guy, first-grader Destiny Guy, and fifth-grader Keygan Guy board the bus after school on Thursday at Wilson Elementary School.

ALPENA — Enrollment at most Northeast Michigan school districts remains fairly stable compared to last fall, despite fears that the coronavirus pandemic might scare parents into keeping their kids home.

Schools across the state conducted their fall count — which accounts for most of the state money schools receive — on Wednesday.

School districts in Northeast Michigan — all of whom are offering at least some online learning, in addition to in-person classes — receive $8,111 per student from the state, plus a one-time increase of $65 per student this school year.

APS counted 3,634 students this week, according to APS Student Information Specialist Angie Kania. That’s a decrease of nine students compared to last fall, according to state figures.

Kania said in an email to The News that 2,906 students are attending in-person, 541 are attending online, and 187 are attending via the Family Partnership Program, which offers elective classes to students who are homeschooled or part of Alpena Public Schools’ online program.

Alcona Community Schools also saw a slight decrease in student enrollment, with 20 fewer students counted on Wednesday, for a total of 672 students enrolled in the district this fall.

Alcona Superintendent Dan O’Connor attributed most of the decrease to a graduating class of around 50 students, while the new kindergarten class had about 30 students. He said there is a declining birth rate in the county.

Rogers City Area Schools counted 469 students enrolled with the district this fall, down by about 48 students from last fall.

Hillman Community Schools saw its numbers increase by 15 students to a total of 445 students. Of those students, 354 are attending school in-person and 94 are either attending school online or with a paper packet.

Atlanta Community Schools also saw its numbers increase by six students to 246 students on Wednesday. Of those, 188 are attending school in-person and 52 are attending school virtually.

Carl Seiter, superintendent of Hillman and Atlanta schools, said he’s “happy … we’re holding our own, and gaining just a little.”

Posen Consolidated Schools saw its number of students increase by three to 210 students, according to Superintendent Michelle Wesner.

Wesner said that, although enrollment is close to the same number as last year, “a small increase is important for a little district.”

Calls to Onaway Area Community Schools Superintendent Rod Fullerton were not immediately returned.

Enrollment

School district 2019-20 2020-21

Alpena Public Schools 3,643 3,634

Alcona Community Schools 692 672

Atlanta Community Schools 252 246

Hillman Community Schools 430 445

Onaway Area Community Schools 569 N/A

Posen Consolidated Schools 207 210

Rogers City Area Schools 517 469

Sources: Local school districts and MiSchoolData.org.