Springdale Public School District is awarded $25 million federal grant

The Springdale Public School District has received a $25.878 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The funding was awarded as part of the Race to the Top’s District Grant Competition, which focuses on transforming schools’ learning environments to better serve students’ abilities and needs.

“Springdale has proven time and time again that they have the vision and educators needed to help our students succeed,” U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., said in a statement. “It’s no surprise that they’ve received this prestigious Race to the Top Grant. With this funding, I know they’ll continue to excel when it comes to ensuring our students are college and career ready.”

With this grant, Springdale School District will focus on three main goals:
• Ensuring student achievement;
• Closing the experience gap; and
• Improving student learning with personalized learning strategies.

Highlights include increasing Pre-K classes, creating a Parent Academy, improving access to technology, offering additional educational opportunities, and initiating professional learning communities, according to the statement from Pryor’s office.

Springdale was 1 of 5 Race to the Top Grantees this year. The districts were chosen for their vision and capacity for reform and their strong plans to provide educators with resources to optimize student achievement and prepare students for college and their careers.