Gage Park High School in Chicago, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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Some smiled ear-to-ear, others clapped, and a few asked immediately, \"Can we make one today?\" For many of them, it was a brand-new experience, and they were eager to touch, explore, and learn how it worked. Their enthusiasm filled the room, and it turned the day into a celebration.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to expand the Life Skills Café by letting students choose flavors, create visual recipe cards, and practice communication skills by \"ordering\" slushies from their peers. We will also incorporate math skills such as counting, measuring, and sequencing during slushie prep.","fullyFundedDate":1757941826076,"projectUrl":"project/cool-connections-slushies-for-smiles-/9447236/","projectTitle":"Cool Connections: Slushies for Smiles & Social Skills\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9234707_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y62&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708479261403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9234707"},{"teacherId":9234707,"projectId":9167595,"letterContent":"In our classroom, technology is more than just a tool—it's a bridge to learning, communication, and independence. Many of my students learn best through visuals, sound, and hands-on interaction, and technology helps bring lessons to life in ways that traditional methods cannot. Interactive tools like our new karaoke machines support communication, turn-taking, and real-world functional skills. Technology also provides immediate feedback, which helps keep my students motivated, while allowing them to practice skills at their own pace. Most importantly, it creates opportunities for success and confidence, ensuring that every student—no matter their challenges—can participate fully in learning.\r\n\r\nMy students have taken more care in sharing out during SEL lessons (social emotional learning), they love using the Karaoke machine and the way it lights up with the different colors when in use. My non-verbal students are enjoying using the micro-phone and hearing their voices come through the speaker. I was able to create more engaging and interactive lessons that supported both communication and social-emotional growth. My students practiced reading, speech, and rhythm while singing along to their favorite songs, which made language skills more meaningful and fun.","fullyFundedDate":1746707600358,"projectUrl":"project/sing-and-shine/9167595/","projectTitle":"Sing and Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9234707_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y62&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708479261403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9234707"},{"teacherId":9234707,"projectId":9163802,"letterContent":"This project will has had a powerful impact on my low-incident cluster high school classroom. My students have unique learning needs, and staying focused, calm, and engaged can be a challenge when hunger becomes a distraction. By providing daily snacks, this project has helped remove a barrier to learning and created a more supportive environment where my students can do their best. \r\n\r\nSnack time is more than just a break—it is also a chance for my students to practice important life skills such as making choices, following routines, using communication tools, and interacting with their peers. These skills prepare them for greater independence both in school and in their lives after graduation. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. My students were super excited when they saw all the snacks that were given to them when it was explained to them how people who dont know them personally but wants the best for them and donated so they will have snacks to eat so they wont be hungry when they are in school.","fullyFundedDate":1746785251310,"projectUrl":"project/brain-boost-bites/9163802/","projectTitle":"Brain Boost Bites","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9234707_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y62&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708479261403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9234707"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5717","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":346,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.2,"schoolId":5717,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gage Park High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gage Park High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/gage-park-high-school/5717"}

About this school

Gage Park High School is an urban public school in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299. It serves 346 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.7:1. Its teachers have had 65 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

346 Students

22 Teachers

5630 S Rockwell St

Chicago, IL 60629 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Gage Park High School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Gage Park High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Gage Park High School Demographics

94%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

97%

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.

Gage Park High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 25, 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.