Sangamon Valley High School in Niantic, Illinois on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sangamon Valley High School","outOfStateSupporters":0.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10076087,"projectId":9457267,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students have been able to elevate the quality of their work in ways that simply weren't possible before. While many people use technology at home, classroom use—especially in a student-run Publications program—is uniquely hands-on and collaborative. The new cameras allow students to learn real skills in photography, storytelling, and digital literacy. They're not just snapping pictures; they're learning how to adjust settings, frame shots with intention, and produce professional-level content for our yearbook and media projects.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about the new equipment is the noticeable jump in quality. They can immediately see how much sharper, brighter, and more dynamic their photos are, and it motivates them to push their creativity even further. The technology feels \"real\"—not a school substitute, but the kind of gear used by actual photographers—and that authenticity inspires them.\r\n\r\nThere are a few students who have especially taken to this upgrade. Several of our yearbook staff members, who spend countless hours at games, events, and practices, were thrilled to have reliable, high-quality cameras that don't glitch or break down. We experience heavy wear and tear on our cameras simply because students use them so much, so this donation allowed us to finally retire some old, damaged equipment. Watching those students pick up the new cameras with excitement—and immediately start experimenting—has been one of the best parts of this project.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our Publications students can continue capturing our school's story with confidence, pride, and tools that will last.","fullyFundedDate":1762871012716,"projectUrl":"project/capturing-svhs-tools-for-yearbook-and-v/9457267/","projectTitle":"Capturing SVHS: Tools for Yearbook and Vlog Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10076087_orig.png?crop=1167,1167,x326,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752280882580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10076087"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29530","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":172,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":62,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":92,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"10.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":100.0,"schoolId":29530,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sangamon Valley High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sangamon Valley High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/sangamon-valley-cmty-unit-sd-9/sangamon-valley-senior-high-school/29530"}

About this school

Sangamon Valley High School is a rural public school in Niantic, Illinois that is part of Sangamon Valley Cmty Unit Sd 9. It serves 172 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.1:1. Its teachers have had 2 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

172 Students

17 Teachers

398 N Illinois St

Niantic, IL 62551 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Sangamon Valley High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Jones

Mr. Spath

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works

Sangamon Valley High School Demographics

62%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

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.

Sangamon Valley High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 7, 2025

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.