WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced that W.E.B. DuBois High School in Baltimore has been awarded a competitive $3.65 million grant through the U.S. Department of Labor to improve educational and career opportunities for its students. This grant was awarded specifically to schools that have identified themselves with the U.S. Department of Education as having persistently high levels of violence.

“We must do all we can to make sure no child is left out or left behind. That means creating a safe environment for students to succeed,” said Senator Mikulski. “I will continue to fight to give our public schools in Maryland and around the nation the resources they need to keep students safe. We need to increase our federal investment in competitive grant programs like this, which benefit schools in need.”

“I think every student deserves to have an equal opportunity to learn and achieve in school, but when violence distracts students and teachers from a quality education, everyone suffers,” said Senator Cardin. “I am proud of federal investments like this grant for W.E.B. Du Bois High School, which will go far to engage the community in helping to establish this school as a safe haven and a center of academic excellence.”

This funding will enable the W.E.B. DuBois staff to implement a five component prevention and intervention strategy designed to address problem student behavior, curb school violence, reduce dropout rates and improve students’ overall educational and career success. W.E.B. DuBois will also partner with Baltimore businesses and community-based organizations to provide students with paid work internships and mentoring services.