{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"William P Kimmel Alternative School","outOfStateSupporters":13.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9838270,"projectId":9981059,"letterContent":"The resources from this project have helped us continue running our building-wide incentive program, McGinnis Money, which focuses on recognizing positive choices, growth, and effort among our students. As a school social worker in an alternative education setting, I help oversee this program alongside our staff. Students earn McGinnis Money for things like improving attendance, demonstrating positive behavior, completing work, and showing personal growth throughout the school day. They can then use their earnings in our school store to \"purchase\" snacks and small prizes.\r\n\r\nOne moment that really stood out occurred during a recent school store day. A student who had struggled significantly with attendance earlier in the year had been working hard to show up consistently and stay engaged in class. Over time, he had saved up his McGinnis Money. When the store opened, he proudly came in with the money he had earned and carefully chose a few items he had been hoping to buy. What made the moment meaningful was not just the reward itself, but the pride he felt knowing he had earned it through his effort and progress.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new supplies arrive for the school store, there was a lot of excitement. Many of them immediately started asking when the next store day would be and talking about what they wanted to work toward earning. Because students help choose the store items each marking period, they feel a sense of ownership in the program and become even more motivated to participate.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue working toward both personal and academic goals as they earn McGinnis Money for positive choices, improved attendance, and engagement in their classes. The program has become an important part of building a culture where progress is noticed and effort is celebrated. These resources will help us continue reinforcing those positive behaviors and keeping students motivated to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1769177521060,"projectUrl":"project/turning-motivation-into-real-rewards/9981059/","projectTitle":"Turning Motivation Into Real Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9838270_orig.jpg?crop=979,979,x205,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731625874111","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-williams-social-work"},{"teacherId":9838270,"projectId":10031876,"letterContent":"As a school social worker, I oversee a student support closet within our alternative education building where students can access essential care items in a safe, supportive, and stigma-free way. These resources have quickly become an important part of how we support students throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nOne moment that stood out occurred when a student came to my office feeling overwhelmed and struggling to regulate their emotions. After talking for a few minutes, they shared that they had not eaten that day and were feeling both hungry and stressed. Through this project, I was able to provide them with a snack and a blanket from the student support closet. After taking a few minutes to decompress, the student was able to calm down and return to class ready to re-engage with their work. It was a small moment, but it highlighted how meeting basic needs can immediately remove barriers to learning.\r\n\r\nWhen students first learned that these items were available, many were surprised and incredibly grateful. Some students quietly expressed relief that hygiene items were available if they needed them, while others shared that having snacks accessible helped them get through the day when food was limited at home. Knowing these supports exist has helped students feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these resources will continue to support the social-emotional and wellness work we do within the building. Many of my students are working on developing coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, and building routines that help them stay engaged in school. Having access to basic care items through the support closet helps remove immediate barriers so students can focus on those goals and remain present in their learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1768701120774,"projectUrl":"project/removing-barriers-by-providing-essential/10031876/","projectTitle":"Removing Barriers by Providing Essential Care Items","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9838270_orig.jpg?crop=979,979,x205,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731625874111","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-williams-social-work"},{"teacherId":9838270,"projectId":9852447,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students will have reliable access to non-perishable food items through our school's Care Closet, and the impact will be meaningful from day one. These resources will be used by students who may not always have enough food at home, and having this support available in school will provide comfort, dignity, and stability for those who need it most.\r\n\r\nWhen students saw the shelves filled with food items. Many were surprised and relieved, asking questions like, \"Is this really for us?\" or \"Can we take some home?\" Knowing that they will have a safe, judgment-free place to get what they need has made a powerful difference in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nDuring hand-out, students were able to select items discreetly as part of our Care Closet program, helping ensure that no student has to worry about going hungry during the school day or after school. Your support will not only be utilized for a single take-home bag but it will be especially helpful before weekends and future holiday breaks, when access to food can be more uncertain.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to continue building this initiative by keeping the closet stocked and integrating lessons around compassion, community, and self-advocacy. Students will learn that asking for help is a strength, and that they are surrounded by people who care about their well-being.\r\n\r\nYour donation did so much more than fill shelves—it filed student's hearts, eased their worry, and showed our students that people believe in them. Thank you for making a real and lasting difference in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1763498202823,"projectUrl":"project/nourishing-hearts-and-homes-with-non-per/9852447/","projectTitle":"Nourishing Hearts and Homes with Non-Perishable Food","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9838270_orig.jpg?crop=979,979,x205,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731625874111","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-williams-social-work"},{"teacherId":9838270,"projectId":9114719,"letterContent":"With the resources that you so generously donated, I will be able to provide all of my students with take-home summer bags this summer! These bags will be filled with items that they all individually picked out, summer-fun items, and snacks for the upcoming summer! When my students found out that my project was funded, and that they would be receiving take-home bags, they were filled with joy! They are excited to receive towels, hats, water bottles and so much more!\r\n\r\nPersonally, I want to say thank you for taking the time to look over my project and feel compelled to donate. With your donations I am able to contribute to my student's success, beyond the classroom! I hope that this act of kindness, will not be your last for our students. I hope that in the future, when more of my projects appear on your screen, that you will feel compelled yet again to help me in supporting my students. \r\n\r\nThank you all so much! Have a nice summer!","fullyFundedDate":1746785910246,"projectUrl":"project/sunny-days-ahead/9114719/","projectTitle":"Sunny Days Ahead!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9838270_orig.jpg?crop=979,979,x205,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731625874111","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-williams-social-work"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_63003","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":27,"numTeachers":5,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":70,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"5.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":86.7,"schoolId":63003,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about William P Kimmel Alternative School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"William P Kimmel Alternative School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/altoona-area-school-district/william-p-kimmel-alternative-school/63003"}
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About this school
William P Kimmel Alternative School is
an urban public school
in Altoona, Pennsylvania that is part of Altoona Area School District.
It serves 27 students
in grades 7 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 5.4:1.
Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
9%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
William P Kimmel Alternative School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Mar 19, 2026
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William P Kimmel Alternative School
$5,201
raised using DonorsChoose
8
projects
funded
2
teachers
funded
15
donors
William P Kimmel Alternative School has received support from
13 individuals from Pennsylvania and
2 individuals out-of-state.
