Columbus Public Schools Ohio

Columbus schools win first of Race to Top grants

Schools in Columbus, Reynoldsburg and Dublin are among 45 schools statewide awarded $17 million from Ohio's federal Race to the Top grant for programs aimed at boosting student achievement, the Kasich administration announced yesterday.

Columbus City Schools' International High School was awarded $600,000, the largest grant given. Reynoldsburg schools will get $561,750 for an early-college high-school program, and Dublin schools received $250,000 for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics program at its three high schools.

In addition, Beechcroft High School and four Columbus middle schools - Buckeye, Westmoor, Southmoor and Woodward Park - each received grants for college-readiness programs aimed at increasing the number of students who attend four-year colleges or universities. The awards range from $43,000 to $61,000.

Gov. John Kasich said during a news conference at the Ohio Department of Education that he is a big supporter of the Obama administration's Race to the Top program and believes it will help kids succeed in school.

"We're trying to raise the bar," Kasich told educators.

Ohio is among 11 states and the District of Columbia sharing in the Obama administration's $4.3 billion education program. The $400 million awarded to Ohio is to be shared over the next four years by the state Department of Education and the 487 school districts and charter schools that agreed to participate.

Only participating schools were eligible to apply for the grants.

"This grant will help us grow our international-studies program and provide alternative learning opportunities for our students to compete in a global society," said Columbus Superintendent Gene Harris, referring to the district's larger grant.

She said the high school aims to be a leader in international education by offering students the opportunity to pursue college preparatory classes with a global perspective on world affairs, economics and languages.

Kasich said yesterday that it is important to connect students with experiences that will engage and excite them about professions and opportunities available to them.

"I think we need to work in our state to let kids see their future," he said.

The governor applauded Ohio districts that chose to participate in Race to the Top, which also calls for providing merit pay for teachers and closing poor-performing schools.

ccandisky@dispatch.