DeSoto ISD is proud to announce that the Academies for Academic Enhancement and Excellence, or A2E2 grant, aimed at equality, excellence and effectiveness for all students was awarded has been awarded $3.3M for year two of the grant--an amount that exceeded the district's original grant funding expectation for this year.
The grant funds will support student learning experiences in the district's magnet programs through curriculum, technology and added instructional support in areas like STEM and the arts across DeSoto ISD.
In partnership with Project Lead the Way, College Board, Texas Instruments, Vernier Technologies, the University of North Texas, SureScore, Agile Minds and the EGT Institute, the district will receive roughly $2.5 million per year over the course of five years towards magnet programs serving students in grades K through 12 at seven DeSoto ISD campuses which include Frank D. Moates Blended Learning Magnet Academy Elementary, Woodridge Fine Arts Magnet Academy Elementary, Ruby Young Medical and Environmental Sciences Magnet Academy Elementary, DeSoto East Medical Magnet Academy Middle School, Curtistene S. McCowan Fine Arts Magnet Academy Middle School and DeSoto High School.
In addition, the GEAR UP, or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, grant was issued a new award in DeSoto ISD. The new grant totals $8.2M over seven years.
The GEAR UP grant furthers the understanding and pursuit of postsecondary education amongst the secondary schools of DeSoto ISD. Backed by several institutions, including The University of Texas-Austin and Texas Instruments, LETS GEAR UP is poised to keep students primed for breaking the low-income cycle by pushing them into reaching their full potential.