WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that Los Lunas Schools has been awarded a $1.3 million grant through a program at the U.S. Department of Education he authored that aims to help crowded schools better meet the needs of their students.

Funding was awarded through Bingaman's Smaller Learning Communities grant program and will support 9th grade Academies at Los Lunas High School and Valencia High School.

"Overcrowded schools and classrooms make it hard for students to get a quality education.  Establishing smaller schools within a school helps ensure students have a greater interaction with teacher and creates a richer learning environment.  I am pleased that funding provided through this grant program will help Los Lunas and Valencia High School students succeed in their academic careers," Bingaman said.

The following schools also were awarded grants through the Department of Education:

University of New Mexico - $569,192: Funding will be used to establish a Graduate Resource Center (GRC) offer academic support activities aimed at increasing the number of Hispanic students enrolled in graduate programs.

San Juan College - $399,475: Funding will be used for a program aimed at promoting academic advancement among Native American student through completion of gateway math and science courses.

New Mexico State University - $174,650: Funding would be used for a project to prepare 21 highly qualified special education professionals in a masters and licensure program.

New Mexico Commission for the Blind - $18,883:  Funding will be used to improve the skills of personnel currently employed by the agency.