The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday the award of a $14 million grant to Green Dot Public Schools for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of new charter schools, especially in underserved areas.

The five-year grant will support the expansion of the Green Dot Public Schools network to make high performing community schools available to as many as 10,000 more low-income students in Los Angeles as well as in the states of Tennessee and Washington, a statement said.

“These charter school grants will help open new charter schools and expand or replicate those with a record of success to help ensure that every student has access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for college, careers and life,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in announcing the grants.

The grant awards $7.4 million in Year 1, with the remaining $6.6 million to be awarded over the following four years.

“This grant will help accelerate our work to provide high-quality public schools in underserved areas,” said Marco Petruzzi, CEO of Green Dot Public Schools National. “We are humbled by this award, honored at the national recognition of the effectiveness of our schools, and excited about the opportunity to bring our proven model of education to more students and more communities.” ... More