Google Grants $1 Million to Local Elementary and Middle Schools

The  (MVWSD) announced today that Google will grant $1 million to the district to address the academic needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

In particular, the grant will help improve instruction in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, the school district's superintendent said.

“We were thrilled when Google approached us and said they wanted to support their local school districts," MVWSD Superintendent Craig Goldman said about the grant that has been in the works since December 2010. "We are truly humbled by the company’s generosity and sincere desire to help the district’s neediest students."

The money from the Internet giant comes at a time when in California face potential cuts as the state attempts to close a $25 billion budget gap. If not for the grant, explained Goldman, Mountain View's district would not have been able to provide professional development, training and support to teachers who "we are confident will improve student success."

While the achievement gap between students has closed in the past few years, socioeconomically disadvantaged students (SES) . And right now, 44 percent of the district's children fall into this category.

"We been trying to build our relationship over time, and this grant will have a huge impact on our relationship and the students," Goldman said. 

This is the Mountain View-based company's first direct monetary contribution to the school district, according to Goldman. However, the Parent Teacher Associations and the Mountain View Educational Foundation have in the past benefited when Google matches employee gifts to non-for-profit organizations.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company has donated $50,000 to the educational foundation in the past.

On the Googleblog today, Roni Zeiger, Google's chief health strategist and a MVWSD parent, highlighted the spirit of volunteerism from employees at the company and the goal to "develop and inspire the next generation of engineers and computer scientists."

The $1 million grant demonstrates that spirit, according to Zeiger.

"As a Googler and the proud parent of a child in the Mountain View Whisman School District, I’m thrilled about this news," she said. "Mountain View has been a great home for Google, and we’re pleased to be able to support our hometown."

Despite that the $1 million has been earmarked to help socioeconomically disadvantaged students, Goldman expects that all the students in the district will benefit.

“Although assessment and evaluation are critical to an effective educational organization,” Goldman shared, “we know that what happens in the classroom is the most important factor for student success."