Jackson Road Elementary School in White Oak is the first school in Maryland to pilot the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Brilliant Futures program.
The children’s savings pilot program provides kindergarten students with up to $1,000 each year from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
The school announced the program on June 10 during the kindergarten promotion ceremony.
When participating students graduate high school, they can use these savings for future education, training, or other income or wealth-generating opportunities, like buying a home or starting a business.
The Community Foundation partnered with MCPS and Prince George’s County Public Schools to launch the first two pilot programs for all kindergartners currently enrolled at Jackson Road or next year’s kindergartners at Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights.
The Community Foundation committed to funding the program for two consecutive kindergarten cohorts at each school. The program organizers expect to enroll up to 400 students between the two schools.
MCPS announced that the schools were selected to align with the Community Foundation’s focus on high-opportunity priority neighborhoods. These regions experience deep disparities in homeownership, income, and life expectancy.
The participant population is 90% Black, Latinx and Hispanic with all students eligible for free and reduced meal service (FARMS).
