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K-12 School Metrics & Classification for Grantwriters

Last update: October 9, 2023

Some funding competitions (mostly federal) require that K-12 school districts involved in the proposed project meet certain federal- and state-defined characteristics of geographic location and/or student body composition.

The following resources are useful for finding out how particular school districts register against these requirements.

Common Core of Data, from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/

The Common Core of Data (CCD) is the Department of Education's primary database on public elementary and secondary education in the United States. CCD is a comprehensive, annual, national database of all public elementary and secondary schools and school districts. 

This data is collected annually directly from State Education Agencies (SEAs). A list of all the State CCD Coordinators and their contact information is available on the CCD website.

  • Use Locale Lookupto Find a School or District's NCES ID Code:

    • You can find a school or district ID code by using the locator tool. 

    • The easiest way to do this is by typing in the city, state, and the first word from the school name. 

    • The NCES School ID is a 12 digit code, the first 7 digits of this code are the NCES District ID. 

    • If you cannot find the school or district on the locator, you can send an email to EDFacts@ed.gov for support. 

Rural Educational Achievement Program (REAP) Eligibility, from the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education (OESE)

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/rural-and-low-income-school-program/eligibility/

  • The REAP Websiteincludes a list of school districts by state which meet REAP school locale and poverty requirements. It provides downloadable spreadsheets of schools nationwide, with eligibility status for:

  • Small, Rural School Achievement Program

  • Rural and Low-Income School Program

  • Dual Eligibility

Illinois Report Card (ISBE)

https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/

School Profile>Students>Low Income Students 

The State collects demographic information on the student body, including the percentage of students who live in low income households. 

Students aged 3 to 17 meet the low-income criteria if they receive or live in households that receive public aid from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF (Targeted Assistance for Needy Families); are classified as homeless, migrant, runaway, Head Start, or foster children; or live in a household where the household income meets (USDA) guidelines to receive free or reduced-price meals.