St. Cloud Area School District has been awarded a five-year $2.5 million Full-Service Community Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Education, one of 30 nationwide awards and the only award granted in Minnesota.

“We are thrilled and hopeful for the ways we will be able to positively impact student outcomes with the help of our community partners,” says Superintendent Laurie Putnam. “The grant will allow us to launch two Full-Service Community Schools that will be located at Discovery Community School and North Junior High School.”

Research indicates that positive learning environments where students receive key services—including nutritional, dental, vision, and mental health services—are critical for accelerating academic growth. The district is committed to implementing the four pillars of evidence-based community schools that improve achievement and other outcomes for students, and this grant will provide the resources and support needed to create those environments.

Twenty community partners have been named as participants in the grant including Community Organization Partner United Way of Central Minnesota. Year one of the grant is designated for core planning which will begin in January 2024.