MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Nelson Elementary School in Muskegon is no longer considered a "priority school" in Michigan.
Muskegon Public Schools found out about the news in April.
The Michigan Department of Education sent a letter to the superintendent stating, "Congratulations! Effective immediately, I am pleased to announce the Michigan Department of Education is releasing the following school(s) from lowest achieving bottom 5 percent designation: Nelson Elementary School."
District officials couldn’t share the good news until an embargo on releasing the letter was lifted. Staff at Nelson Elementary found out about the milestone a few weeks ago.
Nelson Elementary School Principal Brian Gamm shared the school’s recipe for success with 24 Hour News 8. He said funding played a part in how the school got off the priority list.
Nelson Elementary received more than $2.2 million in federal grant funding in 2016. The grant is paying $750,000 for the first three years, $550,000 for the fourth year and $450,000 in its final year.