Federally Funded Grants

*    Administered through the PA Department of Education

**  Administered through the US Department of Education

Refugee Children School Impact Aid Grant *

Upper Darby School District is home to over 300 students who hold refugee status and/or have had limited formal school in their country of origin. The federally-funded Refugee Children School Impact Aid program provides partial support for the Transitional Education Program at Upper Darby High School. This program provides intensive educational support through specialized courses and the provision of teacher support for students included in regular classroom settings.

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant *

Upper Darby School District, Beverly Hills Middle School and Upper Darby Community Outreach Corporation have joined as partners in implementing the After-School BLAST program funded by a grant from the PA Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Program. The program is in the 2nd year of a 3 year funding cycle. The grant funds a five day a week after school program (3 to 6 pm) that serves up to 60 students in grades 4 through 8. Four days a week the program is run at Christ Lutheran Community Church and one day a week the students go to Beverly Hills Middle School to participate in physical education activities, including rock climbing.  The grant also funds an 8 week summer camp at Christ Lutheran Church in Upper Darby.

Enhancing Education Thorough Technology (EETT) *

The PA Department of Education awarded Upper Darby a competitive EETT grant to increase teacher computer literacy and integrate technology into the teaching-learning process. Specifically, Upper Darby's EETT grant supported three major program components at the two middle schools: 1) a laptop for each of the 215 middle school teachers; 2) professional development by a full-time Instructional Technology Coach shared by both schools in 2010-11; and 3) four student laptop carts (2 at each school with 30 computers each) used in the 8th grade Social Studies program.  Grant funding concludes in September, 2011 but the impact of the project will continue as teachers and students use the computers and new skills to increase student engagement and achievement.

Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) **

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Upper Darby School District a three-year, competitive Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant to significantly expand its Mandarin language program at the High School.  In the 2011-12 school year, a full-time Mandarin teacher will deliver three courses each semester -  Beginning Mandarin, Mandarin 1 and Mandarin 2.   Through grant support, students will have the opportunity to participate in an after school club focused on Chinese culture and the Mandarin language.  Also, in follow-up to a successful program in the 2010-11 year, the grant will support a series of Saturday workshops aimed at introducing middle school students to Mandarin and Chinese culture.

State Funded Grants

*  Administered through the PA Department of Education

Accountability Block Grant *

The Accountability Block Grant (ABG) provides Pennsylvania school districts with financial assistance to implement effective educational practices and initiatives to improve student achievement. In Upper Darby, the 2011-12 funds are used for Math and English teachers in the Freshman Academy.