Grants

Title 1 Grant

Title I is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to schools and districts in low-income areas. The funds are used to provide educational services to students at risk of failing to meet standards. Title I has existed since the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which was reauthorized into the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Federal funds are first allocated to the state educational agency, which determines funding amounts awarded to each district. The local school district then identifies eligible schools, determines programming and distributes the Title I resources accordingly.

Whitley County Consolidated Schools Title I funds primarily provide personnel to work with our most at-risk elementary students. Little Turtle Elementary School, Northern Heights Elementary School, and Mary Raber Elementary School offer school-wide Title 1 programming. Title I Teacher and Assistant salaries are paid for with Title I dollars. Aside from staff, Title I funds also provide materials to support student learning and professional development.

WCCS Grant Application Process

Current Grant Partners

Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) appreciates the support from state, regional and local partners who believe in the mission and strategy to create lasting change for the learners who fill our schools.

Ford Next Generation Learning Logo

Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) Grant with Ford Next Generation Learning

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced $60 million to be distributed to schools wishing to grow opportunities for students in career readiness. The Central Indiana Education Service Center (CIESC) applied for the grant and was awarded $3.9 million to support seven school districts in Indiana toward career exploration and experience. Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) was one of the seven districts awarded.

The grant supports career exploration activities for grades K-8 and academy model expansion in grades 9-12.

IDOE Blue and Yellow Logo

School Improvement Grant (SIG)

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Next Generation School Improvement Grant (SIG) is designed to provide funds to local education agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to transforming the traditional educational experience into one that more strategically aligns with students’ academic and personal needs.

WCCS was awarded a $300,000 planning grant for the 2022-2023 school year. If the planning proposal is approved, WCCS will receive $1 million for the next years. The grant supports grades 9-12 school transformation through the Academy Model.

EARN Indiana yellow logo

Employment Aid Readiness Network (EARN) Indiana Grant

The Employment Aid Readiness Network (EARN) Indiana—the state's work-study program— was created to ensure students can access resume-building, experiential, paid internship opportunities. In return for hiring students and meeting program quality standards, Indiana employers receive state matching funds that reimburse up to 50% of the student's hourly wages.

WCCS was awarded $25,000 to implement Work-Based learning in Indiana's state-approved high-demand careers like welding, nursing, EMT, etc., some of the supported careers through the academy structure at Columbia City High School. Read More

IDOE Logo

Employability Skills Innovation and Implementation (ESII) Grant

WCCS was awarded $200,000 for continuing the PRIDE Work Ethic program, Governor's Work Ethic Certificate, and student career exploration activities for grades K-12.

The PRIDE Work Ethic program is an initiative for all WCCS students to teach: Persistence, Respectfulness, Initiative, Dependability and Efficiency, which are skills valued by our community and employers.