The state Department of Education has been awarded a $3.4 million federal grant to support the creation of “smaller learning communities” at large high schools.

Several Hawaii high schools already have the smaller learning communities, aimed at helping kids transition to high school and make large campuses more student-friendly.

The Hawaii grant is part of $100 million shelled out today by the U.S. Department of Education for programs for education reform.

“These grants will help our local communities and states in working towards President Obama’s goal of once again having the highest college completion rate in the world by the end of the decade,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, in a news release. “To achieve this goal, high schools must ensure more students graduate and are prepared for success in college and careers.”