Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy receives grant to support school expansion

CUMBERLAND – Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy, a charter school network, has received a $2.4 million, five-year federal grant to support its expansion from four to seven schools.
The grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the federal Charter Schools Program, is one of 11 awarded in the country.
“This funding will help over 1,000 Rhode Island students and provide more educational options to Rhode Island families,” said Congressman David N. Cicilline, “[and] allow Blackstone Valley Prep to continue to build innovative, high-quality partnerships within the community.”
Blackstone Valley is a network of tuition-free public schools chartered by the Rhode Island Department of Education. As a part of the Charter School Growth Fund portfolio, the academy offers public school choice to the families of Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket. The network has two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
With expansion by 2017-18, the network will add one elementary school and two middle schools to its roster, according to its website.
National awards for the first year of the five-year grant totaled $39.7 million and ranged from $129,000 to $13.7 million. In its first year, the academy will receive $429,400.
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who provided a letter of support for the grant application, also congratulated school leaders on the award.
“This grant is bringing much needed support to our state,” Dan McKee, Cumberland’s mayor and chairman of the academy’s board, said in prepared remarks. “Education and our state’s economic success are linked, and the work ahead needs to include a deep commitment to preparing all students to be the future leaders of Rhode Island.”
To apply, the school submitted three years’ worth of academic achievement data and 15 letters of support from community leaders and partners. Its focus on diversity also helped, according to a press release.
Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, also an academy board member, hailed the award for its potential positive impact on the area.
“It is clear that there is a demand in Rhode Island for more school options,” he said.
The list of all the recipients as well as a full release by the Department of Education can be found HERE.

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