The Warsaw Community Schools district has won a $439,534 grant in an innovation fund grant competition.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett announced Wednesday that 10 grants have been awarded to school corporations, nonprofits and other organizations.

The Warsaw project will transform an elementary school into a K-6 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics academy, Wednesday’s announcement said.

The STEM academy “will incorporate collaborative development of project-based learning, unique partnerships with the community, and projects aligned to the Common Core Standards,” the project description released by Bennett’s office said.

Other 2012 Innovation Fund Winners are:

• Herron High School (Indianapolis), $438,350;
• La Casa de Amistad INC (South Bend), $114,260;
• Greater Clark County Schools, $280,743;
• Wilson Education Service Center, $251,248;
• Crothersville Community Schools, $338,639;
• College Summit, $197,416;
• Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., $44,000;
• Teach for America, $236,572; and
• North Montgomery Community Schools, $109,238.

The fund, created in the 2011 session of the Indiana General Assembly, aims to support initiatives to improve student achievement and growth, the announcement said.

This is the first year for the competitive grant program, and the department received 231 applications.