Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School in Washington, District of Columbia on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":62.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10300405,"projectId":9919811,"letterContent":"On behalf of Young Ladies with Purpose, thank you for your generous support and belief in our mission. Your willingness to invest in the well-being of pre-teen girls has made a meaningful and lasting impact on their lives. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and for recognizing the importance of providing essential hygiene resources to young ladies during such a critical stage of development.\r\n\r\nAs our participants enter adolescence, they experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. For many, these changes are compounded by limited access to basic hygiene products that are essential for daily self-care. Items such as soap, deodorant, oral care supplies, hair care products, and menstrual hygiene products are often taken for granted, yet they play a vital role in a young lady's health, confidence, and sense of dignity. Your support allows us to address this need in a thoughtful and comprehensive way. Self-care plays a vital role in a girl's confidence, growth, and overall well-being.\r\n\r\nThrough your funding, we are able to provide hygiene kits that ensure each participant has consistent access to the tools she needs to care for herself with pride. More than simply distributing supplies, this initiative allows us to teach proper hygiene practices, promote healthy routines, and create open conversations around self-care and personal responsibility. These lessons are foundational and help young ladies build habits that will serve them well throughout their lives.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your generosity extends far beyond the physical items provided. When young ladies feel clean, prepared, and confident, they are better able to focus on their education, engage fully in program activities, and participate comfortably in school and social settings. Your support helps remove barriers that can otherwise lead to embarrassment, distraction, or absenteeism, ensuring that each young lady can show up as her best self every day.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your contribution sends a powerful message to our participants: they are valued, supported, and worthy of care. Knowing that someone believes in their well-being strengthens their self-esteem and reinforces the importance of self-respect.\r\n\r\nThe girls in our program have been eagerly looking forward to receiving these items since December, as we have been intentionally discussing self-respect, hygiene, and self-care. Simply knowing they have their own belongings and the ability to freshen up after gym or recess has been a tremendous confidence booster. The personal care packages, in particular, brought a noticeable sense of pride and empowerment.\r\n\r\nAs the girls continue learning about their bodies, many are still shy about seeking help during their menstrual cycles. Having discreet, personal care kits has helped normalize these conversations and allowed them to manage their needs privately and confidently. This support has eased anxiety and reinforced that caring for their bodies is both normal and important.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity, compassion, and commitment to empowering young ladies. Your support directly enhances their health, dignity, and confidence, and helps us continue fostering a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive. We are honored to have you as a partner in this work and sincerely appreciate the positive change you are helping to create.","fullyFundedDate":1764988319349,"projectUrl":"project/growing-with-purpose-grace-and-good-hy/9919811/","projectTitle":"Growing with Purpose, Grace, and Good Hygiene","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore-Gause","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10300405_orig.png?crop=217,217,x0,y14&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764166017302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10300405"},{"teacherId":8712626,"projectId":9220004,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students at Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our project, \"Orff-chestrating a Musical Future.\" Because of your kindness, our music classroom has been gifted with beautiful, brand-new Orff xylophones that will inspire creativity and bring joyful music-making to our students for years to come.\r\n\r\nThese instruments will allow our children to explore melody, harmony, and rhythm in hands-on and engaging ways, fostering both confidence and teamwork. I have already seen the excitement in their eyes as they anticipate playing these instruments and discovering their musical potential.\r\n\r\nAs I transition to a new school, I am comforted knowing that these xylophones will remain at Shining Stars, continuing to benefit the students and future classes. Your generosity will have a lasting impact, creating a foundation for a vibrant music program that will grow and flourish long after my time here.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in the power of music education and for helping us create a space where every child can find their voice through music.","fullyFundedDate":1746787427847,"projectUrl":"project/orff-chestrating-a-musical-future/9220004/","projectTitle":"Orff-chestrating a Musical Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8712626_orig.jpg?crop=1125,1125,x190,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747849215074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8712626"},{"teacherId":8712626,"projectId":9144680,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! The wobble chair helps students focus during rehearsal. Pom-poms added energy and fun to our performances, helping kids express rhythm and movement. The LED candles created a magical mood for our winter concert and helped bring songs to life. Your support gave our choir the tools to shine, feel confident, and express themselves in new ways. We're so grateful for your generosity!\r\n\r\nThank you to the Ripple Foundation for being that village that supports teachers like me.\r\n\r\nThanks!","fullyFundedDate":1746699588885,"projectUrl":"project/the-sound-of-success-music-resources-fo/9144680/","projectTitle":"The Sound of Success: Music Resources for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8712626_orig.jpg?crop=1125,1125,x190,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747849215074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8712626"},{"teacherId":8712626,"projectId":8849514,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, my students have had the incredible opportunity to learn and grow through music with the addition of recorders to our classroom. The impact has been profound, both academically and personally. These recorders have opened doors to creativity, teamwork, and improved focus for students of all abilities.\r\n\r\nIn music class, students have gained confidence as they mastered a new instrument, discovering the power of perseverance and the joy of creating something beautiful. Learning the recorder has also improved their listening skills, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of musical concepts like rhythm, pitch, and melody.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has truly made a difference in their lives, and we are beyond grateful for your support. 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About this school

Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School is an urban public school in Washington, District of Columbia that is part of District of Columbia Public Charter School Board. It serves 215 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.5:1. Its teachers have had 5 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

215 Students

13 Teachers

1240 Randolph St NE

Washington, DC 20017 View local requests

http://www.shiningstarspcs.org

Direct, proactive support

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Constanza

Ms. Moore-Gause

Ms. Telson

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Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School Demographics

53%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

89%

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.

Shining Stars Montessori Public Charter School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 23, 2026

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