Johnson County School District Students to Benefit from $22.6 Million GEAR UP ELEVATE Grant
Ashland, KY (October 2025) – The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) is proud to announce that students in the Johnson County School District will be part of the newly awarded GEAR UP ELEVATE Project, a seven-year federal grant that will expand postsecondary opportunities for underserved students in rural Kentucky.
In partnership with Johnson County Schools, the project will provide services beginning in Fall 2025 to help increase high school graduation rates, boost college preparation, and expand family awareness of postsecondary options and financial aid.
Schools Served in Johnson County:
Johnson County Middle School & Johnson Central High School
About GEAR UP ELEVATE
The ELEVATE Project will serve more than 4,000 students annually across 27 schools in 12 districts, with a total 7-year investment of $22.6 million. Each year, the project will deliver $3.23 million in services across participating districts.
Project Goals:
Increase academic performance and readiness for postsecondary education
Raise high school graduation and college-going rates
Expand student and family knowledge of postsecondary options and financing
Services Include:
Academic support and college readiness programming
College awareness and mentoring opportunities
Financial literacy education for students and families
Parent and family engagement workshops
Early intervention supports
Professional development for educators
Partners include Morehead State University, Ashland CTC, Hazard CTC, Maysville CTC, Southeast Kentucky CTC, Kentucky Writing Project, Kentucky Center for Mathematics, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), NCCEP, The Prichard Committee, Lego® Education, Pathways, WhyTry, AdvanceKentucky, MasteryPrep, and SCRIBE.