School District Receives $12 Million US Department of Education Magnet School Assistance Program Grant
The School District of Lee County is excited to announce it has received a $12 million, 5-year competitive grant award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. This grant will support innovative magnet programs at Bonita Springs Elementary, Edgewood Academy, and Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. Elementary to attract families and enrich school choice offerings.
“We are committed to providing enriching and engaging learning environments for all of our students and thankful the US Department of Education is recognizing our efforts,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jeff Spiro. “Our students will receive high-level instruction, hands on learning and unparalleled experiences through the magnet programs this grant will develop.”
Each school will use the funding in different ways to attract families and enrich their offerings. Edgewood Academy will add an Arts & Science magnet through an elementary computer science and coding curriculum and increased use of technology. “Edgewood Academy is so excited about this opportunity and this grant will certainly transition us to new levels of learning,” said Dr. Tom Millins, Principal of Edgewood Academy. “The levels of programming Edgewood will be able to offer will benefit all stakeholders including our students and our school community.”
Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary will create a Leadership, Environmental Education, and Design (LEED) magnet that embraces local environmental science. Students will lead efforts to promote conservation, manage campus recycling, and understand alternative resources that benefit learning and preservation. “The funding will allow us to be innovative in our approach to teaching and learning as we continue to meet the needs of our students in an exciting and unique way,” said Dr. Jason Kurtz, Principal of Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary.
Bonita Springs Elementary will enhance the school’s educational program through STEAM integration. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics curriculum will be infused into every classroom. Bonita Springs students will also engage in outdoor field studies to enhance their STEAM knowledge connections. “Our team is incredibly excited about this opportunity,” said Bonita Springs Elementary Principal Rob Cooper. “We have jumped into the planning phase and are excited to provide STEAM learning opportunities to our students at Bonita Springs Elementary.”
The Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program is investing $20 million in new awards for school districts in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. The funding was announced to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown vs Board of Education.