Fulton schools selected for up to $400,000 annual after-school grant

Fulton Public Schools has been selected for a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant that can provide up to $400,000 annually, giving the district funding for a new after-school program planned to begin in September 2026.

The district announced the award July 20, 2026. It plans to use the grant to launch the RISE program for qualifying students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

What RISE will provide

RISE will operate outside the regular school day and is expected to combine small-group academic intervention with enrichment activities. The program is intended for eligible students in grades K-8 across Fulton Public Schools.

That structure would give participating students additional time for academic support after classes end, along with activities beyond the regular instructional day. The program’s eligibility requirement means the opportunity is intended for qualifying students rather than automatically for every student in the district.

The district has not specified the final number of participating students or the staffing levels for RISE. It also has not identified the full period covered by the grant. Those details will determine the program’s eventual size and how its after-school services are organized.

Funding and timeline

The grant can provide as much as $400,000 each year. The figure is an annual maximum, not a statement that the district will receive the full amount in every year.

The award gives Fulton Public Schools a dedicated funding source to establish the new program and plan its academic intervention and enrichment offerings. For eligible students and families, the planned September 2026 launch creates a new opportunity for structured support beyond the school day.

The next known milestone is implementation of RISE in September 2026. Before then, the district will need to put the program into operation for the qualifying K-8 students it intends to serve. The public announcement identifies the program’s purpose, grade range, planned start and maximum annual award, but does not provide additional operational details.

RISE will therefore begin as a planned district program backed by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers award. Its reach will become clearer as Fulton Public Schools finalizes participation and staffing for the September start.