Ohio Receives $105M Federal Grant to Expand High-Performing Community Schools

Ohio has been awarded nearly $105 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education to expand and support high-performing community and charter schools over the next five years. This funding includes $55.5 million from the 2025 Charter Schools Program to replicate successful school models and expand existing schools, and $49.2 million from the State Facilities Incentive Grant to assist with facility costs, particularly in underserved and economically disadvantaged areas. Governor Mike DeWine emphasized that the investment aims to increase access to quality education options for Ohio families, especially in regions with limited school choices. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted the flexibility states have in using these funds and connected this initiative to broader efforts supporting school choice, including recent tax credit policies championed by President Trump. While the federal support is part of a national strategy to improve academic outcomes through school choice, critics note that traditional public schools often outperform charter schools in graduation rates. This funding surge marks a significant federal investment in Ohio’s educational landscape, aimed at fostering growth in community schools and addressing educational disparities.