3 Spokane middle schools awarded grant aimed at helping low-income further their education

Three Spokane middle schools received a federal grant designed to help low-income students continue their education after high school.

Garry, Shaw and Salk middle schools received the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs award. Spokane Public Schools was one of 26 districts in Washington awarded the grant, the district announced in a news release last week. The grant is federally funded but administered by the state. Participating states must match the federal funds, said district spokesman Kevin Morrison in a text message.

Each middle school will get $165,000, said Scott Kerwien, the college and career readiness director for the school district. That will help cover 1.5 career and college counselors who will follow a sixth-grade class through to high school graduation.

Assuming Washington state matches the funds, the grant will last for six years in Spokane Public Schools.

The GEAR UP grant objectives are: “Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education. Increase high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates. Increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and finances.”