State awards $8 million in school-improvement grants

The Indiana Department of Education awarded more than $8 million in school-improvements grants Thursday.

“My department is committed to providing schools and communities with the resources they need to ensure that all Hoosier children receive an equitable and high-quality education,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said.

The grants – funded by the federal government – are awarded to schools that demonstrate a need for the money and plan to use the funds to raise achievement levels.

“These schools have demonstrated a great need for these funds, as well as excellent plans to improve student performance,” Ritz said.

She said the Department of Education will also “continue to provide high quality support through the Outreach Division of School Improvement to all schools throughout the state.”

The grants went to seven schools:

— Stonybrook Middle School, Warren Township, $1.85 million;

— Fairview Elementary, Monroe County, $619,258;

— Highland Park Elementary, Monroe County, $847,123;

— Lake Ridge Middle School, Lake Ridge School Corp., $738,388;

— Chamberlain Elementary, Goshen, $1.75 million;

— Sarah Scott Middle School, Vigo County, $948,830;

— McCulloch Middle School, Marion, $1.75 million.

The money will be distributed throughout the next three years.