PORTLAND — The city’s public schools are preparing federal grant applications that could bring millions of dollars to improve Riverton Community School, Portland High School and the district’s music education program.

The School Committee will be asked to authorize the applications when it meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 250 at Portland Arts and Technology High School.

The district plans to seek school improvement funds for Riverton through the Obama administration’s Race to the Top education-reform initiative. The elementary school recently was listed among the 10 lowest-performing schools in Maine.

The district also plans to apply for an Investing in Innovation grant to reorganize Portland High to better prepare all students to have college or career plans by 11th grade, said Superintendent Jim Morse. Learning Works will be the district’s nonprofit partner in securing the grant.

The district plans to seek a second innovation grant to bring in a Jose Abreu Fellow from the New England Conservatory of Music to help develop an El Sistema-inspired music program in Portland schools. The Portland Symphony Orchestra will be the district nonprofit partner in securing the grant.

Founded by Abreu, El Sistema is Venezuela’s national youth orchestra program targeting disadvantaged students. It has spawned many renowned musicians, including Gustavo Dudamel, a 29-year-old composer, conductor and violinist who is music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.


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