NEWBURGH – The Newburgh School District has been awarded a $7.08 million, five-year grant that will enable about 1,000 secondary students in seven of the district’s schools to participate in a wide range of after-school activities, including writing and literacy, dance, music, theater, and mentoring for at-risk teens.

The Empire State After-School Program grant will provide $1.41 million a year for the five years. Participating schools will be: Temple Hill Academy; Heritage Middle School; Meadow Hill Global Explorations Magnet School; South Middle School; Newburgh Free Academy Main; Newburgh Free Academy West; and Newburgh Free Academy North.

Under the grant program, the district will partner with a number of local organizations, including the Hudson Valley Writing Project to improve writing and literacy skills; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for STEM activities; and the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy for dance, visual arts, music and theater.

BurnBright International will provide mentoring for at-risk teens, and Mount Saint Mary College will support STEM activities during spring recess and during the summer months.

“This grant will allow us to close opportunity gaps for secondary students and offer them programming after school during critical hours of the day, said Dr. Roberto Padilla, Newburgh’s schools superintendent.

The district said services and activities will focus on improving social, emotional, academic and vocational competencies of school-age children and youth; reducing such negative behaviors as bullying, violence, school suspensions and absences; and providing parents with a safe after-school environment for their children.