Washington Academy in Belvidere, Illinois on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Academy","outOfStateSupporters":31.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9203329,"projectId":10106497,"letterContent":"I wanted to share an update on the project our students recently poured their hearts into. To support our classmates and local families who might be going through a tough time, our students put together care packages filled with essential hygiene items. \r\n\r\nWhat was inside:\r\n\r\nWe wanted to make sure these bags were both practical and encouraging. Each one included:\r\nThe Essentials: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, a hairbrush, toothbrush, and toothpaste.\r\nA Little Extra Love: An Affirmation card with a positive message, written in both English and Spanish so everyone in our community felt included.\r\n\r\nMaking a Difference:\r\n\r\nThe kids handed these out during our school-wide social-emotional event, and it was such a moving experience. It wasn't just about the supplies; it was about the connection. Seeing the students take care of one another in such a hands-on way had a huge impact on everyone involved—both those who made the bags and the families who received them. \r\n\r\nThe feedback from both volunteers and recipients has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the project's success in strengthening our school's culture of care and mutual support.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly proud of our students' dedication to their peers and their commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community.\r\nThank you again for helping make this project a success!","fullyFundedDate":1771698067307,"projectUrl":"project/one-kit-simple-act-of-kindness-changes/10106497/","projectTitle":"One Kit & Simple Act of Kindness Changes a Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Watkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9203329_orig.jpg?crop=182,182,x0,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772056415731","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9203329"},{"teacherId":9077738,"projectId":10134793,"letterContent":"My students have become much more organized and independent when selecting games and activities that are focused on specific math and reading skills. This has made a tremendous difference in our classroom, especially in 1st grade where building independence and teaching routines can often be challenging and time-consuming for teachers. The resources have helped students take ownership of their learning while allowing our daily classroom flow to run much more smoothly and seamlessly.\r\n\r\nThe students have also absolutely loved using the dry erase pockets. They are far easier and quicker to erase than the laminated sheets I previously used, which has saved valuable instructional time and reduced frustration for both students and teachers. The reusable materials have made learning activities more engaging, efficient, and enjoyable, and my students are excited to use them every day. These resources have truly had a positive impact on our classroom environment and student learning experience. We are so thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1772989122781,"projectUrl":"project/mathliteracy-games-to-make-learning-fun/10134793/","projectTitle":"Math/Literacy Games To Make Learning Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Figueroa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9077738"},{"teacherId":3819532,"projectId":8977393,"letterContent":"Thank you for all you do for students, eduators and the communities we serve.With the state of education today, small districts like ours can use all the help we can get. Our low income famiklies do the best they can, as we make up the rest ,many times out of our own pockets.Our school does the best it can, and we are very blessed to have the amdin that we have. Even then, families still struggle to provide supplies needed for basic daily classroom work. Your help goes a long way. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and God bless.","fullyFundedDate":1739374258991,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-audiobooks/8977393/","projectTitle":"First Grade Audiobooks","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Alcalá","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3819532_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1560919187755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jetsabelalcala"},{"teacherId":9203329,"projectId":9859172,"letterContent":"I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of items to create our birthday cake bins. Because of your kindness, we were able to celebrate our students in a way that made them feel truly seen, valued, and special.\r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate and unforgettable. As each birthday bin is shared, kids are smiling from ear to ear, beaming with excitement and pride. For many of our students, this was more than just cake. It was a joyful moment of recognition that brightened their entire day. One student told the birthday bin was used to make her \"own\" birthday cake! \r\n\r\nWe also heard from families who were deeply touched by the gesture. Parents sent praises to the school, expressing gratitude that their children were celebrated so thoughtfully. Your donation helped strengthen the connection between home and school, reminding our families that we are a community that cares.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, birthdays became moments of joy, belonging, and sweet memories that our students will carry with them long after the candles were blown out. Thank you for investing in our children and for helping us create smiles that truly stretched from ear to ear.\r\n\r\nI hope to continue to make opportunities to reach all students at my school.","fullyFundedDate":1763498235724,"projectUrl":"project/help-make-a-students-birthday-brighter/9859172/","projectTitle":"Help Make a Student’s Birthday Brighter... Everyone Should be Celebrated!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Watkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9203329_orig.jpg?crop=182,182,x0,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772056415731","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9203329"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_30338","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":732,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":62,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.4,"schoolId":30338,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/belvidere-community-unit-school-district-100/washington-elementary-school/30338"}

About this school

Washington Academy is a suburban public school in Belvidere, Illinois that is part of Belvidere Community Unit School District 100. It serves 732 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.4:1. Its teachers have had 64 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

732 Students

59 Teachers

1031 5th Ave

Belvidere, IL 61008 View local requests

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Washington Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Washington Academy Demographics

82%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

65%

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.

Washington Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated May 19, 2026

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