$2.5M Grant Awarded To Lewis University Community Schools Consortium

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Lewis University Community Schools Consortium has received a $2,495,985 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the university shared in a news release.

The Full-Service Community School grant will bring together Lewis University, Valley View School District and Fairmont School District 89, as well as community partner agencies, the university said in a release.

The project uses a "holistic, university-assisted approach" to expand and strengthen trauma-responsive and restorative culture and climate within partner schools to work toward equity for students and their families, according to the university.

Partners will form a network that will work toward building this culture in three schools: Brooks Middle School, Bolingbrook High School and Fairmont School.

"The project is expected to transform all aspects of the educational environment—from teacher and staff training to meaningful engagement with students and families, to enhanced procedures and policies," the University said.

It’s estimated that close to 4,300 students, or 90 percent of students at these three schools, will be impacted within the five years of this program, according to the release.