Federal Way Public Schools has received a $22.6 million grant aimed at shrinking kindergarten through third-grade classrooms, alleviating some of the crowding issues facing most Puget Sound-area districts but by no means solving them entirely.

The grant is one of the “K-3 Class Size Reduction Grants” that were awarded by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction last week. Twenty additional districts received a grant, which were awarded based on need as determined by the state superintendent’s office. Only three of those 20 districts received a larger grant amount than Federal Way.

“The growth we have experienced, coupled with smaller class sizes for our K-3 classrooms, results in an increased demand for physical space,” Federal Way district spokeswoman Kassie Swenson said in an email. “Based on a recent study conducted by the district and verified by OSPI via Washington State University, FWPS needs 60 additional classrooms to reduce K-3 class size as envisioned. This is approximately three additional elementary schools.”

According to the district, Federal Way Public Schools had an average of 19.9 students in its kindergarten through third-grade classes in June 2016. That average is below the state of Washington’s target of 20.75 students per K-3 class.

The state provides funding for districts to hire teachers based on a predetermined ratio. For general education, that ratio is one teacher for every 19 kindergarten students, one for every 21 first-graders and one for every 22 second- and third-graders. For high-poverty schools – that is, schools with at least 50 percent of its students on free or reduced lunch – get one teacher for every 17 kindergartners and first-graders, every 18 second-graders and every 21 third-graders.

“If a district is unable to achieve the funding ratios, the revenue is lost,” Swenson said. “If you are below the target, no additional funds are received.”

The formula that determines those funds, of course, doesn’t take into account dramatic population growth or an inability to find and hire qualified teachers, both challenges faced by Federal Way Public Schools and many other school districts in western Washington.

The K-3 Class Size Reduction Grants were funded by SB 6080, which was passed by the 2015 legislature. The bill authorized funds to help schools reduce class sizes specifically by undertaking building projects.

“I was proud to support this bipartisan investment targeted to make a very real difference in the education of our students,” said Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-Federal Way) in a statement. “I’m especially pleased that the state saw the need for these funds in Federal Way. This is great news for our community.”

Research has long shown a correlation between smaller K-3 classes and academic performance (the correlation weakens significantly in later grades).