The Highline School District will receive $ 1.8 million each for Cascade and Chinook Middle schools as a part of federal school improvement grants for the 2010-11 school year.

The funds are to be used to transform education at the two schools. The grants will extend for three years.

"The schools that were chosen to receive School Improvement grants demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation and turnaround," said Janell Newman, assistant superintendent for district and school improvement and accountability at OSPI. "The money they will receive gives them a unique opportunity not only to turn around the schools, but to establish models for other schools in the state."

The overall goal of the program is to understand which practices produce the most significant improvements in student achievement, particularly in diverse schools serving low-income students, children of color and English language learners.

Cascade, in White Center, has a total enrollment of 521 with 75 percent of the students qualifying for free or reduced meals. Fifteen percent are in English language leaners classes.

SeaTac's Chinook enrolls 500 students. Seventy-five percent qualify for free or reduced meals and 25 percent are in English language learners classes.