Grants open to Lunenburg

This competitive grant is open to public schools districts serving students in one or more of the following grades: PK, K, 1, 2, 3. Schools already receiving other grant funding are eligible to participate in this grant program. Participation is limited to schools that have implemented or will be implementing high-quality instructional materials for early literacy instruction in the 2026-2027 school year - Limited to early literacy curricular materials that meet the Department's definition of high quality as defined by CURATE at the time of application. Additionally, if the school's core instructional materials do not include a foundational skills component but do meet the criterion listed above, evidence-based foundational skills curricular materials must be in use as well. To be eligible, applicants must be committed to: - Establishing and/or strengthening a partnership with an education preparation program (EPP) in order to host teacher candidates - Maintaining and strengthening evidence-based early literacy practices in order to support teacher candidates in successfully implementing these practices. This may include grant activities such as: - A virtual Community of Practice (with at least 8 meetings from January through June of 2027) - Professional learning around early literacy and/or mentoring (throughout the 2026-2027 school year) - School representation at an Early Literacy in Educator Preparation Conference in June 2027 - School representation at Literacy Launch Institutes - Conducting activities, such as meetings or mutually beneficial needs assessments, that establish and/or strengthen partnerships with EPPs throughout the year - Hosting DESE staff for walk-throughs and touchpoint meetings at least three times throughout the duration of the grant - Establishing that within the school, there are eligible supervising practitioners (educators with three full years of experience under an Initial or Professional license in either Early Childhood PK–2, Elementary 1–6, or Moderate Disabilities PK–2/PK–8 who have received an evaluation rating of proficient or higher) willing to host teacher candidates for pre-practicum and/or practicum placements - Ensuring that school leadership (ex: principal, assistant/vice principal) will participate in grant activities, including attending a virtual Community of Practice, professional learning, and DESE touchpoint meetings - Participating in DESE data collection, including: - Participation in surveys about the efficacy of the grant program - Participation in classroom observations and educator interviews - Participation in the Launchpad Schools Application Process in June 2027

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: opens with school districts as eligible (“open to public schools districts”).

All Massachusetts public schools, including public charter schools, and educational collaboratives are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants serving districts and schools participating in DESE's Accelerating Achievement initiative will receive competitive priority as described in the Priorities section of this RFP.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: opens with school districts as eligible (“All Massachusetts public schools”).

School districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2026-2027 school year may apply for individual schools. All School Food Authorities (SFAs) are eligible to apply and receive a grant award. Schools must be in compliance with the current meal pattern regulations.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: opens with school districts as eligible (“School districts that participate”).

Eligible entities as listed in the state budget.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: limited to recipients the state budget names; Lunenburg is not named.

Public School districts as listed in the state budget.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: limited to recipients the state budget names; Lunenburg is not named.

Public School districts and entities as listed in the state budget.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: limited to recipients the state budget names; Lunenburg is not named.

The FY26 FC0612 grantees are eligible to apply. The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: limited to past recipients; Lunenburg is not named.

To be eligible for this award, a school needs to have received this FY26 grant in the 2025–26 school year. Schools were originally eligible for this initially competitive funding opportunity if they had an overall performance in the 1–3 percentiles on state accountability determinations for at least the past five consecutive years that are not identified as Underperforming on our state accountability system. The schools must reside in a district that is currently being served by the Statewide System of Support. Funding is contingent upon Department receipt of federal Title I funds.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: limited to past recipients; Lunenburg is not named.

Targeted: Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Springfield

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: names only other applicants (charter high school), no school district.

This funding opportunity is for new and expanding charter schools that meet the state and federal definition of charter school under ESSA, Sec 4310 (2) (see Part II for definition) and were awarded a new school charter or an expansion amendment by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Expansion is defined as increasing student enrollment and/or adding two or more grades. Three expanding charter schools are eligible for year two funds. If new expansion amendments or new charters are approved in FY27, these schools will be eligible for planning funds, if available.

DESE’s eligibility text, quoted. Our reading: names only other applicants (charter schools), no school district.