Schools to add grades with grant money

January 20, 2010 (CHICAGO) The state's grant will help the school purchase property in the 1400- block of North Washtenaw, which used to be owned by the Chicago Archdiocese. With a new facility, the school will be able to add the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

"It's a three and a half million dollar grant to make sure that your school, your charter school, a public school has a 6th grade, a 7th grade, an 8th grade. we want you to keep going right up the ladder so as you get towards high school you get the best education you can possibly get," said Gov. Quinn.

Funding for Erie Elementary Charter School is a part of Illinois Jobs Now, a program to revive the state's economy by creating and retaining more than 400,000 jobs over 6 years.