Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona on DonorsChoose

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It was discouraging for them to see their hard work taken apart so quickly, and it limited the depth of their design process and their opportunity to revise and improve their ideas.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, that has changed. When I told my students that we had received enough additional K'nex parts so they would no longer have to take their projects apart for the next class, the look of relief and excitement on their faces was unforgettable. Several students immediately began talking about how they could extend their designs over multiple days—testing, refining, and rebuilding based on what they learned each day. One student said, \"Now we can actually finish it the way we imagined!\" That sense of ownership and pride is something your donation directly made possible.\r\n\r\nThe extra specialty parts you helped fund have also made a huge difference. Before, students were spending a lot of time digging through bins of larger K'nex pieces trying to find a single tiny connector, hinge, or unique piece they needed. It was frustrating and sometimes stalled their progress. Now, with the additional small specialty parts, students can actually implement the mechanisms they imagine—spinning components, stronger joints, moving parts, and more stable structures. Instead of giving up because they \"didn't have the right piece,\" they can bring those ambitious ideas to life.\r\n\r\nBeyond the hands-on building, these materials support so many important skills. Students are practicing problem-solving as they troubleshoot designs that don't work the first time. They're collaborating with one another—sharing parts, planning together, and respectfully debating which design will be the strongest or most efficient. They're learning perseverance as they test, adjust, and try again. And they're having the powerful experience of seeing a drawing or mental image become a real, three-dimensional creation in their hands.\r\n\r\nYour donation has also increased engagement in a big way. Students who are sometimes quiet or hesitant in traditional lessons light up during our building challenges. They take the lead, explain their thinking, and encourage their classmates. I've seen students who struggle with confidence proudly show off their creations and say, \"Look what I built!\" Those moments matter deeply, and they are happening more often because we now have enough materials to let everyone participate fully.\r\n\r\nAs an educator, it is incredibly meaningful to know that there are people beyond our classroom walls who care about my students and their learning. You didn't have to give, but you chose to—and that choice has a direct, everyday impact here. Your generosity has turned limited supplies into opportunities for authentic exploration, creativity, and growth.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you for believing in public education, in hands-on learning, and in kids you may never meet in person. Please know that each time a student proudly stands back and smiles at a finished K'nex creation, your kindness is part of that moment.","fullyFundedDate":1760983458785,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-physics-with-knex/9688859/","projectTitle":"Teaching Physics with K'Nex","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Schmadeke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp537770_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450118505334","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-schmadeke"},{"teacherId":8386346,"projectId":8291701,"letterContent":"When I first began this project, I knew the fluorescent lights in my classroom made learning harder, but I did not realize how much your support would change things. The glare used to cause headaches, distractions, and restlessness for many students. Now, with the light covers in place, the classroom feels softer, calmer, and far more inviting. Students have already told me it is easier to read, focus, and stay engaged with their work.\r\n\r\nThe difference goes beyond appearance. A healthier environment has improved attention, reduced stress, and created a more positive classroom atmosphere. Students are more comfortable, more collaborative, and more eager to participate. Thanks to your generosity, the space now reflects the supportive, welcoming environment I want for all of my students. Your gift made that possible, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1715387496665,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-lighting-for-history-students/8291701/","projectTitle":"Healthy Lighting for History Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sheets","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8386346_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x45,y44&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661210951501","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8386346"},{"teacherId":8651466,"projectId":9098087,"letterContent":"As a high school English teacher, it is very challenging to get students excited about reading. A large reason for this is because of the limited flexibility of school curriculum. While school adopted curriculum has improved in its offerings of diverse texts and stories within the available units, there is simply no possible way to get ALL students excited about those readings. Additionally, with such a diverse population at my high school, we are not able to incorporate every students' experience or identity into our lessons, though we try to. What we have found through facing this challenge is that, for students to truly engage with reading, their connections to the characters, storylines or topics of what they're reading, need to be strong, now more than ever. \r\n\r\nBy being able to provide my Pilipino, Native, Hispanic, African-American, immigrant, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, wealthy, food insecure, athletic, artistic and academically inclined students (and the list goes on) with books that speak to them directly, we are changing the attitude towards reading in our school one kid at a time. In providing a variety of books at varying reading levels we are also opening up the accessibility of reading for students who may not be at grade level, or whose first language is not English. This ability to meet students where they are academically and introduce them to reading in a new way is something that helps to get our students reinvested in their learning and their futures.\r\n\r\nBeyond the personal, emotional impact this donation has had on our students, it has \r\n had the additional affect of helping to reinforce and build necessary skills. The act of reading does so much for developing minds improving vocabulary, comprehension and even writing skills in those who engage in it regularly. There is a great need for interventional development of these skills and, unfortunately, not enough time in the day to full address that need. By integrating independent reading into our weekly routine, the hope is that we can bring our students back to where they need to be. Your donation has been so appreciated by myself and my students. Here's to many more years of sharing the joy of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1738994307686,"projectUrl":"project/fiesta-bowl-charities-wishes-for-teacher/9098087/","projectTitle":"Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes For Teachers Winner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Anderson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8651466"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68147","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2250,"numTeachers":106,"percentFrplEligible":27,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":42,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.7,"schoolId":68147,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Millennium High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Millennium High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/agua-fria-union-high-school-district-216/millennium-high-school/68147"}

About this school

Millennium High School is a suburban public school in Goodyear, Arizona that is part of Agua Fria Union High School District 216. It serves 2,250 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.2:1. Its teachers have had 73 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

2,250 Students

106 Teachers

14802 W Wigwam Blvd

Goodyear, AZ 85395 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

Millennium High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Millennium High School Demographics

27%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

57%

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.

Millennium High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 27, 2025

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