Peoria Public Schools has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The money will cover five years of special programming for Harrison Community Learning Center and Roosevelt Magnet School.
District 150 Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said the community has become the most economically distressed ZIP code in the state of Illinois.
“The average income of 61605 is $21,000 annually, compared to over $51,000 for the rest of the city,” she said. “Also, 56 percent of the households in 61605 are led by single mothers.”
The Full Service Community Schools grant will pay for tutoring, counseling, field trips and after school programs for more than 1,150 students at the two schools.
“We are offering, during the school day, activities for students where they have academic support and they have social and emotional supports, as well as field trip experiences so they can get to know Peoria and their region,” said Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer Susan Grzanich. “We also have after school activities.”
The grant also helps cover financial and adult literacy courses for parents.
