Madison Metropolitan School District received a half-million dollar grant from a local company for more community resources to bring neighborhoods together.
CUNA Mutual Group, a local insurance firm, announced this week that it will help MMSD expand its community schools program from two schools to four by committing $500,000 over the next three years.
This program — which started during the 2016-’17 academic year — supplies services including tutoring, mentoring, parenting, healthcare and healthy food access to two Madison elementary schools.
Early results for the first two community schools are positive, according to officials.
The program closes gaps in needed support areas, integrates coordinated services into schools and makes students ready to excel in classes by fully supporting them and their families, MMSD Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham told the Wisconsin State Journal.
The next schools to become part of the community schools program have not been chosen yet, according to MMSD spokesperson Rachel Strauch-Nelson. But she said the district will work with a project advisory committee to determine the selection process.
The community schools program is also supported by the Madison Community Foundation, Madison Gas and Electric and the Magic Pebble Foundation.
