Four Escambia County schools will share a $1.6 million grant to improve academic achievement and student wellness.

Brown-Barge Middle School, along with Hellen Caro, Blue Angels and Pleasant Grove elementary schools, are recipients of the three-year grant provided by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Besides improving success in the classroom and the overall health of students, the grant will be used to increase technology in classroom instruction and enhance physical education, to enhance after-school math and science enrichment, and to provide student-maintained community gardens.

Grant money also will be available to offer opportunities for students to attend summer camps onboard the National Museum of Naval Aviation’s Flight Adventure Deck and the National Flight Academy — both housed at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Since 2010, the partnership between the defense department’s education group and the Escambia County School District has added nearly $4 million into eight area schools that serve a large portion of the district’s military-connected students.

The grants are used to promote student achievement, support the needs of military students, improve professional development in education and integrate technology in schools and classrooms.

“Because of our district’s partnership with the DoDEA, several of our military-connected schools have had the opportunity to further expand student interest in science and mathematics,” said Malcolm Thomas, Escambia schools superintendent.

[progresspromise]