Grants totaling roughly $9 million from local and national foundations were announced for Seattle Public Schools today.

The grants will go toward college readiness, staff development, and data and performance management in support of the district's five-year strategic plan.

The plan, Excellence for All, aims to raise achievement of all students by providing students and teachers with the resources they need to succeed, such as college ready work and stronger professional development opportunities.

The grants come from:

$7.2 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

$1.2 million from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

$308,000 from the Boeing Company

$254,000 from the Stuart Foundation

The goal is to set measurable targets for improving academic performance and closing the education gap, including increasing the college-ready graduation rate, according to the district. Today, fewer than one in five graduates of Seattle Public Schools meet the requirements to enroll in a four-year college.

“Seattle Public Schools is committed to providing a high-quality education for every student,” said Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson in a statement released today. “Excellence for All is our roadmap for success, and today, we’re taking a big step forward. Working together—and with the support of our partners—we can deliver on the promise of an education that prepares every student to graduate from Seattle Public Schools ready for college, career, and life.”

“These grants represent a vote of confidence in the leadership and strategic direction of Seattle Public Schools,” said George Griffin, chair of the Alliance for Education. “The Alliance for Education is proud to be a community partner with Seattle Public Schools to help all children fulfill their potential.”

The Alliance, an independent nonprofit organization that works to build community support for Seattle Public Schools, worked in partnership with the school district to secure the grant funding.

The Alliance will play a lead role in managing the funding, tracking, evaluating and communicating results, and engaging the community.

“Successful school districts are those where teachers, parents, and the community are united behind a single goal: preparing students to enter and succeed in college—and beyond,” said Vicki Phillips, director of education at the Gates Foundation. “We have confidence in Excellence for All, and the commitment of Seattle Public Schools to support the work that teachers and students do together in the classroom to ensure that all of our young people graduate from high school ready for college.”