Algonquin Lakes Elementary School in Algonquin, Illinois on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Algonquin Lakes Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10278051,"projectId":9783271,"letterContent":"My students are an incredible group of learners—curious, creative, and always eager to dive into a good story. They bring so much heart to our classroom, and I am continually inspired by the way they make connections between what we read and the world around them. One of the most meaningful ways I can support their growth is by providing access to books that are engaging, purposeful, and reflective of diverse experiences.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, I was able to introduce a class set of Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. This powerful novel follows two very different fifth graders—Joe, who has lived in the same town his entire life, and Ravi, who is navigating a new school and culture after moving from India. At first, the boys struggle to understand one another, but their journeys offer important lessons about empathy, resilience, and the true meaning of friendship.\r\n\r\nReading this book together has transformed our classroom. Students read simultaneously, annotate thoughtfully, and participate in meaningful discussions where they practice comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and strengthen critical-thinking skills. We explore character perspective, themes of belonging, and how personal experiences shape behavior—skills that extend far beyond this single text.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active and collaborative. Students read independently, discuss in small groups, and share reflections during whole-class conversations. Several students who were once reluctant readers are now eager to participate, particularly those who see themselves reflected in Ravi's experience or who connect deeply with Joe's challenges. Watching these students gain confidence and enthusiasm for reading has been especially rewarding.\r\n\r\nBy supporting this project, you placed a high-quality, impactful novel directly into the hands of eager young readers. Your generosity has helped foster not only stronger literacy skills, but also compassion, understanding, and a deeper love of reading. This story truly matters—and now, it belongs to every student in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766893328556,"projectUrl":"project/reading-side-by-side-save-me-a-seat-nov/9783271/","projectTitle":"Reading Side by Side: Save Me a Seat Novel Study","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10278051"},{"teacherId":6310350,"projectId":9681871,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom project! Because of your kindness, my students now have access to a wonderful set of puzzles, along with a comfortable puzzle table and chair. These new materials have quickly become a favorite part of our daily routine.\r\nMy students use the puzzles during brain breaks and small-group time to strengthen their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Working together around the puzzle table has also helped them build communication, patience, and teamwork. It's amazing to see their excitement when they complete a challenging puzzle or help a classmate find the right piece.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, these materials have provided a calming and collaborative space that encourages social interaction and creativity. You've truly made a difference in our learning environment, and I'm deeply grateful for your generosity and belief in my students' potential.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt thanks,","fullyFundedDate":1757683118876,"projectUrl":"project/solving-the-brain-break-mystery-one-piec/9681871/","projectTitle":"Solving the Brain Break Mystery One Piece at Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bruns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6310350"},{"teacherId":9320765,"projectId":9032268,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of puzzles and a puzzle table for our classroom. When I first shared my vision, I hoped students would find their own \"inner peace\" while puzzling, while also sharpening their cognitive skills and enjoying time with friends. Thanks to your kindness, that vision has become a daily reality.\r\n\r\nThe puzzle table has quickly become a favorite spot in our classroom. Students love having the opportunity to work together or independently once they've finished their assignments, and it's wonderful to see them so engaged while using both sides of their brains. They are excited each time I switch out the puzzles, and I've seen how this small but meaningful addition brings joy, focus, and collaboration to their day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made a lasting difference for my students, and I'm deeply grateful. Thank you for supporting not just our classroom, but also the curiosity, creativity, and sense of calm that puzzle play inspires in young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1746460936017,"projectUrl":"project/students-find-their-own-inner-piece-wh/9032268/","projectTitle":"Students Find Their Own “Inner Piece” While Doing Puzzles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9320765"},{"teacherId":9320765,"projectId":8559253,"letterContent":"Oh my gosh my students have been chirping like crazy the past couple of weeks! We have finished our literature unit on The Renaissance and are culminating it with making stickers! Students were able to go onto the design space on my computer and pick images of their choice for their stickers. Some used the stickers as a springboard for artwork they added to it; others chose to put the stickers right on their Chromebooks. The projects were creative and fun. There were a lot of oohs and aahs combined with giggling and fun! \r\n\r\nThe artwork connected to themes and features we have studied in class. \r\n\r\nThis experience helped grow the students appreciation for art and see art can also be done in a digital format as well. Thank you again for helping to inspire students in a fun and engaging way. We are sharing the cricut with other classes as well!","fullyFundedDate":1733248334342,"projectUrl":"project/cricut-projects/8559253/","projectTitle":"Cricut Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9320765"},{"teacherId":9735637,"projectId":8748259,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donations. Each day we start our day with a \"soft start\". We spend the first 15 minutes of our day engaging in play activities with the materials you helped purchase. This provides the kids with a slow, play based start to their days. It's helps us take time to catch up with our friends and work on our social skills. I love to have this time to check in with my students and gauge their moods for the day. It provides me with a chance to see where the kids are at emotionally and address any needs or concerns before our day begins.","fullyFundedDate":1735350627331,"projectUrl":"project/encouraging-play/8748259/","projectTitle":"Encouraging Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baumann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9735637"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_24893","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":379,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":45,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.7,"schoolId":24893,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Algonquin Lakes Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Algonquin Lakes Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/community-unit-school-district-300/algonquin-lakes-elementary-school/24893"}

About this school

Algonquin Lakes Elementary School is a suburban public school in Algonquin, Illinois that is part of Community Unit School District 300. It serves 379 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.6:1. Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades K - 5

379 Students

30 Teachers

1401 Compton Dr

Algonquin, IL 60102 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Algonquin Lakes Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Algonquin Lakes Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Algonquin Lakes Elementary School Demographics

51%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

48%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Algonquin Lakes Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 18, 2026

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.