Richland One Awarded State Public Choice Innovation School Grant

Richland One is one of only six school districts in the state to be awarded a Public Choice Innovation School Grant by the State Department of Education.

The district will use the $500,000 (year 1) grant award to create an aerospace academy on the campus of W.A. Perry Middle School and the adjacent Challenger Learning Center. The school-within-a-school will be a joint project of Richland One, the University of South Carolina’s College of Education, the Challenger Learning Center and the United States Civil Air Patrol.

"We are excited about the impact this award will have upon our students as they are exposed to new and more challenging curricula," said Richland One Superintendent Dr. Allen Coles. "Students will have learning opportunities unique to the Midlands."

The W.A. Perry School of Aerospace (WAPSA) will allow students in grades 5-8 to be engaged in a more rigorous learning environment which includes integrated science and math with emphasis on aerospace technology, robotics and fuel-cell research. Initially, the project will enroll about 100 W.A. Perry Middle School students and 30 fifth-graders from nearby Carver-Lyon Elementary who will travel to the school twice a week for instruction. As the program expands, enrollment is expected to increase to 300 students.

The Public Choice Innovation grant program was created by the state legislature to fund new, nontraditional programs that improve student academic achievement and give parents and students more choice and flexibility in their curriculum.

"These new grant projects include two important elements of public school reform - more curriculum options for students and their parents, plus more innovation and creativity to boost achievement," said State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex. "Buy-in by the districts’ partner organizations shows that everyone has a role to play in making our young people successful and in building schools that are second to none."

For more information please contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7504 or 231-7510.