Second grade teachers greet their new students during the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019 at Doyle-Ryder Elementary School in Flint. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Almost 15% of Michigan's 537 traditional school districts -- a total of 78 systems -- saw their enrollment decline at least 25% between fall 2009 and fall 2018, state data shows.

Flint Community Schools had the state's biggest enrollment drop over the past decade, the data shows.

Flint had a 67% decline, from 11,766 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2009 to only 3,937 students by fall 2018.

In all, about three-quarters of Michigan districts had fewer students in 2018-19 compared to 2009-10, declines that can be attributed to the state's declining birth rate, growth of charter schools and the impact of Schools of Choice, which allows students to cross district boundaries and enroll in another school public system. (The latter helps explain the growth in the remaining quarter of Michigan districts.)

Although conventional wisdom attributes enrollment declines to families moving out of state, the data shows otherwise: Michigan's population actually grew slightly over the past decade, thanks to immigration.

The 78 districts with the largest enrollment losses cover the gamut from large urban districts such as Flint to tiny rural systems in northern Michigan.

Of the 78 districts listed below, 15 are located in metro Detroit -- Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties -- and 13 in the Upper Peninsula.

The data used in this list comes from the state's audited full-time-equivalent student counts by district.

Related stories:

Record low birth rate puts pressure on Michigan school districts

Look up 2009-18 enrollment for any Michigan district, charter school

Michigan birth rate hits record low

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1. Flint Community Schools: -67%

Flint Community Schools in Genesee County had 3,937 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 11,766 in fall 2009, a -67% decline.

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2. DeTour Area Schools: -58%

DeTour Area Schools in Chippewa County had 85 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 205 in fall 2009, a -58% decline.

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3. Beecher Community School District: -56%

Beecher Community School District in Genesee County had 728 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,636 in fall 2009, a -56% decline.

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4. Vanderbilt Area Schools: -53%

Vanderbilt Area Schools in Otsego County had 75 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 158 in fall 2009, a -53% decline.

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5. Covert Public Schools: 50%

Covert Public Schools in Van Buren County had 353 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 701 in fall 2009, a -50% decline.

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6. Benton Harbor Area Schools: -49%

Benton Harbor Area Schools in Berrien County had 1,651 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 3,256 in fall 2009, a -49% decline.

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7. Ontonagon Area School District: -48%

Ontonagon Area School District in Ontonagon County had 256 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 494 in fall 2009, a -48% decline.

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8. Mount Clemens Community Schools: -48%

Mount Clemens Community School District in Macomb County had 904 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,744 in fall 2009, a -48% decline.

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9. Hale Area Schools: 45%

Hale Area Schools in Iosco County had 335 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 615 in fall 2009, a -45% decline.

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10. Capac Community Schools: 45%

Capac Community Schools in St. Clair County had 830 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,506 in fall 2009, a -45% decline.

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11. Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District: -44%

Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District in Sanilac County had 347 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 617 in fall 2009, a -44% decline.

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12. Pinckney Community Schools: -43%

Pinckney Community Schools in Livingston County had 2,549 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 4,453 in fall 2009, a -43% decline.

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13. Alba Public Schools: -43%

Alba Public Schools in Antrim County had 119 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 208 in fall 2009, a -43% decline.

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14. Eastpointe Community Schools: 42%

Eastpointe Community Schools in Macomb County had 2,496 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 4,334 in fall 2009, a -42% decline.

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15. Whitmore Lake Public School District: 40%

Whitmore Lake Public School District in Washtenaw County had 721 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,195 in fall 2009, a -40% decline.

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16. North Adams-Jerome Public Schools: -39%

North Adams-Jerome Public Schools in Hillsdale County had 277 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 456 in fall 2009, a -39% decline.

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17. Detroit Public Schools Community District: -39%

Detroit Public Schools Community District in Wayne County had 46,152 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 75,677 in fall 2009, a -39% decline.

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18. Roscommon Area Public Schools: -39%

Roscommon Area Public Schools in Roscommon County had 890 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,453 in fall 2009, a -39% decline.

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19. Hazel Park School District: -37%

Hazel Park School District in Oakland County had 3,021 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 4,805 in fall 2009, a -37% decline.

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20. Southgate Community Schools: -37%

Southgate Community School District in Wayne County had 3,231 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 5,099 in fall 2009, a -37% decline.

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21. Peck Community School District: -37%

Peck Community School District in Sanilac County had 341 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 538 in fall 2009, a -37% decline.

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22. Mount Morris Consolidated Schools: -36%

Mount Morris Consolidated Schools in Genesee County had 1,792 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,822 in fall 2009, a -36% decline.

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23. Dryden Community Schools: -36%

Dryden Community Schools in Lapeer County had 443 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 691 in fall 2009, a -36% decline.

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24. Fulton Schools: -36%

Fulton Schools in Gratiot County had 640 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 997 in fall 2009, a -36% decline.

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25. Baraga Area Schools: -36%

Baraga Area Schools in Baraga County had 336 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 523 in fall 2009, a -36% decline.

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26. Perry Public Schools: -35%

Perry Public Schools in Shiawassee County had 1,071 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,649 in fall 2009, a -35% decline.

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27. Westwood Community School District: -34%

Westwood Community School District in Wayne County had 1,596 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,433 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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28. Waldron Area Schools: 34%

Waldron Area Schools in Hillsdale County had 208 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 316 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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29. Southfield Public School District: -34%

Southfield Public School District in Oakland County had 5,380 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 8,154 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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30. Big Bay De Noc School District: -34%

Big Bay De Noc School District in Delta County had 159 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 241 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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31. Alanson Public Schools: -34%

Alanson Public Schools in Emmet County had 213 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 321 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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32. Byron Area Schools: 34%

Byron Area Schools in Shiawassee County had 806 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,216 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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33. Mayville Community School District: -34%

Mayville Community School District in Tuscola County had 574 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 864 in fall 2009, a -34% decline.

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34. Saginaw School District: 33%

Saginaw School District in Saginaw County had 5,170 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 7,763 in fall 2009, a -33% decline.

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35. Vassar Public Schools: -33%

Vassar Public Schools in Tuscola County had 1,071 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,587 in fall 2009, a -33% decline.

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36. Romulus Community Schools: -32%

Romulus Community Schools in Wayne County had 2,461 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 3,646 in fall 2009, a -32% decline.

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37. Bellaire Public Schools: 32%

Bellaire Public Schools in Antrim County had 348 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 515 in fall 2009, a -32% decline.

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38. LakeVille Community School District: -32%

LakeVille Community School District in Genesee County had 1,127 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,664 in fall 2009, a -32% decline.

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39. Iron Mountain Public Schools: -32%

Iron Mountain Public Schools in Dickinson County had 872 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,283 in fall 2009, a -32% decline.

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40. Les Cheneaux Community Schools: -31%

Les Cheneaux Community Schools in Mackinac County had 210 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 306 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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41. Pittsford Area Schools: -31%

Pittsford Area Schools in Hillsdale County had 446 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 649 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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42. South Lake Schools: -31%

South Lake Schools in Macomb County had 1,604 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,330 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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43. Pontiac City School District: -31%

Pontiac City School District in Oakland County had 3,737 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 5,414 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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44. Beaver Island Community School: -31%

Beaver Island Community School in Charlevoix County had 48 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 70 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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45. Battle Creek Public Schools: -31%

Battle Creek Public Schools in Calhoun County had 3,920 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 5,658 in fall 2009, a -31% decline.

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46. Marlette Community Schools: 30%

Marlette Community Schools in Sanilac County had 747 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,070 in fall 2009, a -30% decline.

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47. Brandon School District: -30%

Brandon School District in the Counties of Oakland and Lapeer had 2,310 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 3,302 in fall 2009, a -30% decline.

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48. Garden City Public Schools: -30%

Garden City Public Schools in Wayne County had 3,339 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 4,749 in fall 2009, a -30% decline.

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49. Rudyard Area Schools: -30%

Rudyard Area Schools in Chippewa County had 608 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 863 in fall 2009, a -30% decline.

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50. Owendale-Gagetown Area School District: -29%

Owendale-Gagetown Area School District in Huron County had 144 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 204 in fall 2009, a -29% decline.

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51. Ashley Community Schools: -29%

Ashley Community Schools in Gratiot County had 255 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 360 in fall 2009, a -29% decline.

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52. East Jackson Community Schools: -29%

East Jackson Community Schools in Jackson County had 890 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,258 in fall 2009, a -29% decline.

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53. Algonac Community School District: -29%

Algonac Community School District in St. Clair County had 1,388 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,946 in fall 2009, a -29% decline.

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54. Stephenson Area Public Schools: 29%

Stephenson Area Public Schools in Menominee County had 499 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 699 in fall 2009, a -29% decline.

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55. Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools: -28%

Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools in Iosco County had 726 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,014 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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56. Clintondale Community Schools: -28%

Clintondale Community Schools in Macomb County had 2,503 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 3,487 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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57. Tahquamenon Area Schools: -28%

Tahquamenon Area Schools in Luce County had 581 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 810 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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58. Mid Peninsula School District: -28%

Mid Peninsula School District in Delta County had 169 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 235 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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59. Forest Area Community Schools: -28%

Forest Area Community Schools in Kalkaska County had 511 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 709 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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60. Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District: -28%

Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District in Ontonagon County had 182 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 252 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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61. Republic-Michigamme Schools: -28%

Republic-Michigamme Schools in Marquette County had 107 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 148 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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62. Maple Valley Schools: -28%

Maple Valley Schools in Eaton County had 968 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,336 in fall 2009, a -28% decline.

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63. Pellston Public Schools: -27%

Pellston Public Schools in Emmet County had 488 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 668 in fall 2009, a -27% decline.

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64. Bendle Public Schools: 26%

Bendle Public Schools in Genesee County had 1,152 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,563 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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65. Coloma Community Schools: 26%

Coloma Community Schools in Berrien County had 1,305 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,768 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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66. Big Jackson School District: 26%

Big Jackson School District in Newaygo County had 24 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 32 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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67. Waterford School District: 26%

Waterford School District in Oakland County had 8,084 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 10,906 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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69. Van Dyke Public Schools: 26%

Van Dyke Public Schools in Macomb County had 2,196 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,953 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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70. Jefferson Schools: -26%

Jefferson Schools in Monroe County had 1,570 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,109 in fall 2009, a -26% decline.

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71. Vandercook Lake Public Schools: -25%

Vandercook Lake Public Schools in Jackson County had 921 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,236 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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72. Corunna Public Schools: 25%

Corunna Public Schools in Shiawassee County had 1,751 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 2,348 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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73. Decatur Public Schools: -25%

Decatur Public Schools in Van Buren County had 722 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 967 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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74. Manchester Community Schools: -25%

Manchester Community Schools in Washtenaw County had 911 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,215 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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75. Delton Kellogg Schools: -25%

Delton Kellogg Schools in Barry County had 1,175 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,568 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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76. Pickford Public Schools: -25%

Pickford Public Schools in Chippewa County had 403 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 538 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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Atlanta Community Schools in Montmorency County had 233 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 311 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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77. Stockbridge Community Schools: -25%

Stockbridge Community Schools in Ingham County had 1,219 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 1,622 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.

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78. Breckenridge Community Schools: -25%

Breckenridge Community Schools in Gratiot County had 630 full-time-equivalent students in fall 2018. That compares to 836 in fall 2009, a -25% decline.