ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) - The Escondido Union High School District is celebrating a grant renewal of over $3 million to go towards helping students.
The ASSETs grant comes from the federal government and helps funds after-school programs and other support services for students and parents.
The district has received this funding for the past 10 years and schools have put it to good use.
San Pasqual High School has created unique clubs like ukulele, welding, robotics, and mountain biking.
The money also funds academic tutoring as well as programs like Drivers Ed.
Everything created through the ASSETs grant money is free for students.
"I can tell you it has literally transformed the experience for hundreds of students, hundreds," said San Pasqual High School Principal Martin Casas.
Up until last week, next year's grant money wasn't a sure thing. Casas says the district worried the money would be cut from the federal budget.
ASSETs grant schools like San Pasqual were trying to figure out which programs they'd have to cut if the funding didn't come through. Casas estimates they would have had to cut half of their programs.
But now that the funding is secured, schools can look forward to creating even more programs.
They'll receive $250,000 each year for the next five years.
Some new programs in the works include building skateboards, music production, and mariachi.
In addition to San Pasqual High, Orange Glen, Escondido and Valley High Schools will be getting ASSETs funding.
The district says over 75 percent of its students qualify for free and reduced lunch, so these programs are vital.
