Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In July 2003, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a $17.25 million grant to create 60 new small high schools throughout the Milwaukee area over five years. The foundation continues to support the efforts for a New Vision of Secondary Education in Milwaukee.

According to the foundation, American high schools operate in much the same way today as they did 50 years ago, leaving most of today’s young people without the academic preparation they need to be successful in college, work and life. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is working to change this by supporting high school reform efforts in communities throughout the United States. The goal is to improve high school and college graduation rates by creating small, focused high schools that help all students achieve.

Visit the Gates Foundation website for additional information about its small high school initiative.

Download: “Gates Foundation press release” PDF (24 Kb)