The Joplin School District will get almost $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to provide its students and staff recover from the EF-5 tornado that struck the city on May 22, 2011 destroying three schools.
The Project SERV grant will help the district provide academic and mental health services to 7,700 students and 500 educators.
"Tragic events can cause a tremendous disturbance to schools and set back the lives of students," Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "I saw firsthand how the Joplin community came together to rebuild. These resources will support their continued effort to move forward and work to transform and modernize their schools in in ways that better prepare students for college and career."
President Obama is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Joplin High School on May 21 - just a day before the first anniversary of the storm.
