Fayette County, Kentucky, October 13, 2025
News Summary
Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded part of a $14 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to enhance diversity and arts education. Lexington Traditional Magnet School will receive $500,000 in the first year, followed by $300,000 in the second year, with the possibility of an additional $1 million grant in the third year. The funding aims to support economically disadvantaged students and improve educational equity within the district amid challenges posed by recent federal directives.
Fayette County, Kentucky
Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) will receive part of a significant $14 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, aimed at enhancing diversity in schools and supporting arts education programs. FCPS, specifically Lexington Traditional Magnet School, will receive $500,000 in the first year and $300,000 in the second year, with the potential to compete for an additional $1 million grant in the third year.
Approximately 82% of the student population at Lexington Traditional Magnet School is categorized as economically disadvantaged. The grant aims to address the needs of these students by providing a well-rounded education and improving overall learning conditions. In doing so, FCPS and other grant recipients are actively collaborating with families, students, and local communities to identify and tackle specific educational needs.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the necessity of delivering high-quality educational access, particularly for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. This grant comes at a time when schools nationwide are grappling with rising segregation based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Other districts receiving similar grants include those in major cities such as New York City, Chicago, Hamilton County in Tennessee, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County in North Carolina…