MURDY ELEMENTARY School in Garden Grove (GGUSD photo).

A grant worth $18 million has been awarded to the Garden Grove Unified School District to expand its “Community Schools” program.

The grant was approved by the State Board of Education recently for 13 new community schools, including Bryant, Clinton, Faylane, Murdy, Rosita, Stanley and Violette elementary schools, as well as Alamitos, Lake, Ralston and Walton intermediate schools and Hare and Rancho Alamitos high schools.

“This grant funding allows us to deepen our practice of collaboration, engaging our students, families, staff and community partners in targeted improvement strategies that meet the unique needs of each school,” according to GGUSD Board of Education Vice President Bob Harden.

A “community school,” as defined by the California Department of Education, is a public school that serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and has “community partnerships” with parents, other educational entities, public health and community groups and agencies to serve the “highest-need” schools.

Currently involved in the community schools program in the GGUSD are Eisenhower Elementary, Heritage Computer Science Academy, Newhope Elementary. Russell Elementary Language Academy, Doig Intermediate, Fitz Intermediate Language Academy and Los Amigos and Santiago high schools.