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Press Release

Upton Helps Deliver over $800,000 for Benton Harbor Students
Rep. strongly supported the grant for Benton Harbor Area Schools that will provide a tremendous boost to the education of our local youth

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded an $848,382 Smaller Learning Communities grant to Benton Harbor Area Schools to help improve student performance and achievement.  Upton, a staunch advocate for Benton Harbor Area Schools, strongly supported Benton Harbor’s application to the Department of Education in July.  Upton also helped secure a $50,000 SLC grant for the school system in 2004 to implement student achievement programs and improve the school’s graduation rate.

“This grant will provide a tremendous boost for our students in Benton Harbor,” said Upton.  “It is essential that our schools have the resources necessary to ensure that our children have access to a first-rate education, and I am thrilled that the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that our students here in Benton Harbor are well prepared for higher learning and success in the job market.  This announcement comes on the heels of a string of positive events for Benton Harbor – the groundbreaking for the Harbor Shores development, the construction of the HOPE VI housing, and the ongoing revival of the Arts District.  This grant will greatly assist our students’ academic achievement, further contributing to Benton Harbor’s continued renaissance.”

Since receiving the planning grant for SLC activities three years ago, the school district has embarked on an aggressive strategy to redesign Benton Harbor High School, creating academies with a focus on increasing student achievement.

“It is great news to learn that the District has been awarded a Small Learning Communities grant,” said Carole Schmidt, Superintendent of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.  “We are in the midst of changing not just the structure, but the culture at Benton Harbor High School.  And the culture of learning and higher expectations involve staff as well as students.  The grant will allow us to do the right things and learn the right things to increase student achievement.”

The grant will enable Benton Harbor Area Schools to strengthen and expand Martin Luther King School’s freshmen academy and Benton Harbor High School’s three career academies – Science and Engineering, Human Services, and Business and Technology.  The layout of the high school has changed to build schools within the school so that faculty and students can develop relationships.  Research shows that this is a critical part in changing the culture of the school and increasing achievement in urban areas.  Benton Harbor Area Schools will also align their graduation requirements with the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

“The Board of Education has a goal of preparing all of our students for a post-secondary education or career.  It is critical that Benton Harbor High School graduates are prepared for the future, so they can make an important contribution to the renaissance of the community.  We would like to thank Congressman Upton and his staff for their work - they were part of the planning team and we are grateful for Fred’s support of our application,” concluded Superintendent Schmidt.

The Smaller Learning Communities grant will also allow the schools to increase student participation in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and direct credit and dual enrollment courses.  At the 11th and 12th grade levels, the sequence of courses for science will be expanded to include additional choices that will assist in preparing students for post-secondary education and/or career success.  In conjunction with Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor Area Schools created the college readiness course, College Reading and Writing, for all high school juniors.  The grant funds will also continue the support of the Education Talent search and Upward Bound activities.

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