Lakeridge Elementary School on West Hill is one of 50 schools in Washington state that will receive federal funding to improve student performance.

In all 730 schools nationwide will take part in a $3.5 billion national effort over the next three years.

The school could receive significant funding annually in federal School Improvement Grants, which is among a number of U.S. Department of Education initiatives to help schools improve.

At Lakeridge, reading and math scores declined considerably in 2010, although reading scores for third graders has improved by double digits over the past few years, according to the Renton School District. Those math and reading scores contributed to the school being in the bottom percentage of the state’s Title 1 schools not making adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind law.

A school is eligible to be a Title I school when 40 percent or more of its students come from families defined as low-income by U.S. Census definitions. Because of that designation, it places the Renton School District with four other state school districts in a category known as a Required Action District, which guarantees federal funding for the school grants.

With the grant, Lakeridge will consider a longer school day, a new approach to teaching, in-depth examination of student improvement data, more time for teachers to plan and collaborate, onsite professional development; and, extra help for students struggling in mathematics and reading.