Falmouth Receives Innovation Schools Implementation Grant

BOSTON – Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) today announced that Falmouth Public Schools has been awarded a $50,000 Innovation Schools Implementation Grant to support the application of new education tools at Lawrence School. This funding is part of $660,000 that has been awarded to support the operation of 15 Innovation School across the Commonwealth.

“Providing quality education to our children from the earliest stages through college is one of my priorities and this grant will bring even greater opportunities to the students at the Lawrence School,” Murray said. “I want to thank Falmouth Public Schools for their hard work that went into achieving this grant and for their dedication to bettering the education of students in Falmouth.”

“I would like to commend those at the Falmouth Public Schools and the Lawrence School who took the initiative in pursuing this grant” said Representative Timothy R. Madden (D-Nantucket). "It will not only benefit today's students, but will allow for the exploration of new ideas in education for future Lawrence School students."

"It has been a pleasure working with the Lawrence School team on their Innovation School application,” said David T. Vieira (R-East Falmouth). “As a member of the Joint Education Committee, I am thrilled to have one in our district and look forward to sharing their successes throughout the Commonwealth."

“We are very excited about being awarded this grant and it will certainly help in the implementation of the innovation school plan at the Lawrence School,” said Marc Dupuis, superintendent of schools. “We really appreciate the state funding this program.”

“We are thrilled to receive this award,” said Mary Pat Flynn, chairwoman of the Falmouth board of selectmen. “It is recognition of the spirit of our community and our dedication to high quality education for our students.”

Plans for each of the 15 Innovation Schools received approval from local school committees and will be implemented in communities statewide beginning this fall.

Funds for these grants are provided in accordance with Massachusetts’ Race to the Top plan as well as through a grant to the Executive Office of Education from the Gates Foundation for “Next Generation Learning Models.”