The Detroit-based Skillman Foundation has announced the names of three hundred Detroit elementary schools that will receive grants under the first phase of a new, multi-million-dollar education initiative.

All three hundred schools — public, private, charter, and religious — were invited to apply for improvement grants and techncal assistance through the Good Schools: Making the Grade initiative. After a review of the applications and site visits by teams of educators, parents, and business and community leaders, the foundation selected the winning schools in four categories: high performing, improving, aspiring, and honorable mention. "Since this is the launch year of our initiative, we have decided to recognize all seventy-six applicants with awards appropriate and relevant to the categories they qualify for," said program director Dr. Alison Harmon, who developed the initiative.

"It has been very encouraging and affirming to find out that so many Detroit elementary schools are doing a good job already and many others are working to improve and meet the challenges of educating our children," said foundation president and CEO Carol Goss. "Our goal for the Good Schools initiative is to encourage all schools to participate and provide excellent educational options for Detroit families."

Grant amounts will be announced in May. The schools will also receive self-assessment tools to identify their strengths and weaknesses, along with assistance on how to improve. Beginning this fall, middle schools and high schools will be able to participate in the program.

For a complete list of the recipients, see: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/
www/story/04-21-2005/0003442175&EDATE=.