South Bend, Indiana expands internet access through the Citywide Classroom South Bend program

City and South Bend (IN) school leaders are once again expanding internet access to eligible students and families. The Citywide Classroom South Bend program — a partnership between the city, South Bend schools and local nonprofit enFocus — will now provide access to all 21st Century Scholars, teachers, staff and school employees in the South Bend district. The state's 21st Century Scholars program enrolls middle school students whose families meet certain income requirements in a multi-year college preparation and scholarship program extending through four years of high school. South Bend's Citywide Classroom program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, began as a needs-based program and has now provided more than 2,800 connections through at-home internet service and Wi-Fi hotspots. This latest expansion of Citywide Classroom services will offer a five-year extension of mobile hotspot coverage after students currently in the program meet the expiration of their one-year contract. The program is funded through a $1.8 million Governor's Emergency Education Relief grant.