Major Support for Local Education: Beaufort County School District Receives Over $2 Million Grant

Major Support for Local Education: Beaufort County School District Receives Over $2 Million Grant

Beaufort, S.C. – Exciting news is unfolding for the students of Beaufort County as the Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) has announced a significant investment in local education. On Tuesday, the foundation revealed that it will be dispersing a whopping $2,304,000 Catalyst Grant to the Beaufort County School District aimed at creating a transformative extended learning program within the community.

What’s the Buzz About the UNITE Program?

The funding, allocated over the next five years, will primarily support the Uniting Neighbors for Instructional Effectiveness and Trust in Education (UNITE) program. This initiative is designed to foster a true “village” environment, aiding students by bridging the gaps between family, community, and school. With a collaborative spirit at its core, UNITE relies on partnerships with twelve local faith-based and nonprofit organizations that are already active in the neighborhoods where the students live.

The focus of the program is to enhance after-school care and provide additional educational support. Through this collaborative effort, retired teachers and well-qualified community members will utilize a curriculum supplied by the district to offer academic mentoring, thereby helping students build stronger educational foundations.

Starting Strong: Program Launch Date

Mark your calendars! The UNITE program is set to kick off this academic year on October 14 and will cater to students ranging from Pre-K all the way to 12th grade. A special emphasis will be placed on assisting those living in areas facing high rates of poverty. By targeting these high-risk factors, the program aims to give these children an equitable chance to succeed academically.

A Proven Success Story

Interestingly, UNITE isn’t entirely new to the scene. It was first launched in 2022 with funding from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program. During this initial phase, the program demonstrated remarkable success, boasting gains of 34 points in math and 27 points in English Language Arts for students participating from fall to spring. That’s a huge win for everyone involved!

Now, with the upcoming end of federal funding this month, the Catalyst Grant is essential to maintaining and accelerating the program’s growth, ensuring that the advantages gained thus far continue to flourish.

Words from the Leaders

Superintendent Frank Rodriguez expressed his enthusiasm: “The next five years made possible by the Coastal Community Foundation provide an essential pathway for Beaufort County School District on our journey towards our strategic goals in Reading, Math, and Graduation Rates, respectively.” He went on to commend the name UNITE, remarking that it perfectly embodies the communal effort needed to help children advance.

Community Commitment to Education

The Coastal Community Foundation has a rich history of supporting education, having granted over $100 million to various educational programs over the last 50 years. Darrin Goss Sr., President and CEO of CCF, highlighted the community’s strong desires, stating, “Through thousands of community conversations, we learned that education is one of the top priorities for people in the region.” Just last year, the CCF committed more than $8 million to nonprofits in the education sector, and they are excited to add this grant to their list of investments in ensuring quality education for students.

How to Learn More

The Catalyst Grant program was initiated in 2020 under The Beaufort Fund, addressing various districts, including Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, and Jasper. If you want to dig deeper into the work that CCF is doing or need more information, feel free to check out their website or give them a call!

It’s clear that with initiatives like UNITE and generous support from organizations like CCF, the future of education in Beaufort County looks brighter than ever.