Lexington-Richland County School District Five recently received an additional $75,000 through the Stronger Connections Grant. 

The Stronger Connections Grant’s purpose is to provide students with a safer and healthier learning environment throughout their time in school.

In January 2024, the district was initially awarded a two-year grant and created “The Hive” program, which stands for Hub for Interdisciplinary Values and Enrichment, located in Irmo Middle School. This new innovation was created to support students and aimed to improve academic achievement, social-emotional wellness and safety. 

With the Hive program, students are provided with a nutritious snack and work in small groups to explore their passions and embrace innovation. The program operates from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, following the district calendar for holidays and closing. 

“The concept of “The Hive” is based on the comprehensive Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model developed by the Center for Disease Control’s framework for addressing health in schools and emphasizes evidence-based policies and practices through school, community, and family connections that promote school connectedness,” the press release read. 

According to the press release, 986 students are currently enrolled in Irmo Middle, with 63% of students identified as Pupils in Poverty. Research shows that a majority of students that come from low-income families lack access to resources, impacting their ability to focus on academics.

An assessment conducted concluded that access to an afterschool program free of charge for students could help and improve these students' outcomes. 

With an extra $75,000, the HIVE program will expand by adding additional resources. These resources include career exploration workshops led by local professionals in healthcare, manufacturing, digital media and skilled trades; career and technical education connections where students are introduced to technologies and tools tied to in-demand industries; and student-led capstone projects that address real-world problems with guidance from organizations and businesses. 

The Stronger Connections Subgrant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed by former President Joe Biden in 2022. This act provides $1 billion in funding to state educational agencies and is distributed under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The South Carolina Department of Education administers and allocates these funds.