The grant will allow Springfield City School District to accelerate its improvement and to provide even more options and more supports for some of our most challenging students. These are highly competitive grants and, obviously, Springfield competed at a very high level with great success. Superintendent Dr. David Estrop said, “As you can imagine, these grants were highly competitive. Our district staff put in a great effort, working as a team to prepare our application. We feel this award recognizes our success in working together to create a sensible plan to serve our students’ needs.”

Keifer Academy, which was in a select group of eligible schools, provides alternative and innovative programs for students whose personal situations prevent them from being successful in our typical school environment The funds will allow Keifer Academy to extend its programming to middle school students who need additional supports to be successful, and will improve the linkages between Keifer Academy and parents and the community.

Keifer Academy Principal, Mr. Gary Cross, said “We are ready – and excited – to have this grant support. We will devote a good portion of the grant to additional supports for our students and to teacher training so that we can better meet the individual needs of each student. This grant will also let us improve the connections with our families and the Springfield community.”

Springfield City School District will continue to pursue competitive grants that are important and appropriate tools as we work to move our student achievement forward quickly.