Nineteen of Minnesota's most struggling schools will receive nearly $25 million in federal grants to improve student performance.

The list includes charter schools and regular public schools, many of them located in the state's poorest communities.

Minnesota Department of Education leaders made the announcement this morning at its headquarters in Roseville.

"Not only do these 19 schools have the willingness to make the quick and dramatic changes necessary to help students achieve, they also have the capacity to make the necessary changes," said Patricia King, director of the state education department's Office of Turnaround Schools.

The state identified the lowest-performing schools based on test scores and graduation rates. Of those, 26 schools picked one of four turnaround plans and applied for the money.

All the schools chose models in which they had to replace their principals, but none of them decided to shut down or convert to a charter school.

State education officials said the seven schools that applied but did not receive the grants were not in a position to execute their improvement plan by the start of the school year, a requirement for the federal School Improvement Grant program.

Four of the eligible schools opted out of the program, so they won't have to make the changes but also won't get the money.

The schools receiving money are: Bethune Elementary, Braham Area Secondary, Broadway Arts & Technology, Brooklyn Center Secondary, Cass Lake-Bena Secondary, East Central Senior Secondary, Edison Senior High, Hmong INternational Academy, Humboldt Senior High, Isle Secondary, Lucy Laney at Cleveland Park Elementary, Maxfield Magnet Elementary, New Visions Charter School, North View IB World School, Ogilvie Secondary, Ponemah Elementary, Red Lake Senior High, Waubun Secondary and Wellstone International High.

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488