St. Anthony High School has been awarded $10,000 by the William H. Hannon Foundation to help students in need of specialized academic support, school officials announced last week.

The funding will be invested in the school’s Academic Monitoring Program, which over the past three years has supported more than 300 students who struggle with lower grade point averages, the majority of them qualifying for the Title I Reading Program, according to school officials.

“It is unique for a private school to offer additional assistance for students who would not otherwise be able to sustain the rigorous academic curriculum”, said St. Anthony High School Development Director Gina Mascaro in a statement. “We are excited that the William H. Hannon Foundation has recognized this very important component of our students’ success and agreed to partner with us as we grow this vital program.”

Of the 36 graduating students in AMP over the last three years, six went to four-year colleges, 27 entered into a two-year college, one entered a trade school and two entered the military upon graduation from SAHS.

“In addition to strengthening work habits, study skills, and time management, students are regularly commended for progress,” school officials stated. “The goal is to instill confidence in students so they can anticipate and meet academic challenges as well as seek help, as needed, from teachers, counselors and the Director of Student Learning Services.”

AMP was established after a test initiative in the 2014-15 school year as part of the Support Team Education Plan (STEP) Program, which was developed by the Los Angeles Archdiocese Department of Catholic Schools for students who qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan in the public schools, officials said in a release.

SAHS sought funding from the foundation for tools such as a student development app that bundles focusing on skills like organization, time management and study and social skills, literacy and reading series subscriptions, as well as some hard copy textbooks and standardized test prep materials.