Central School Programs in Elgin, Illinois on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Central School Programs","outOfStateSupporters":16.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5215401,"projectId":9319610,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, my students and I have been able to dive into an exciting new chapter of hands-on creative learning! The new Teflon sheets, heat transfer vinyl, and Cricut materials have completely transformed how we approach our art and design projects. Students are now able to design, cut, and press their own graphics onto t-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric items with confidence and professionalism. The Teflon sheets have been especially useful in teaching proper heat-press techniques while keeping our workspace safe and materials reusable for future projects.\r\nWhen my students first saw the rolls of vinyl and the new supplies, their faces lit up. Many couldn't believe they were going to get to create wearable art with their own designs! For several of my students with emotional and behavioral challenges, the opportunity to bring their artwork to life on fabric has been both empowering and therapeutic. One of our most memorable moments was when a student proudly modeled a shirt they designed as part of our \"Art as Expression\" unit—a moment that truly captured the pride and confidence this project has inspired.\r\nWe're currently using these materials in our Art Production class to develop a student-led mini business, where students learn about design, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship. Next, we plan to explore custom branding and packaging design to connect creativity with real-world career skills. Your support has provided not just tools, but opportunities for growth, pride, and self-expression that my students will carry far beyond the classroom. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1753288999192,"projectUrl":"project/threads-of-change/9319610/","projectTitle":"Threads of Change","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Galuszek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5215401_orig.png?crop=3299,3300,x0,y208&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755194307028","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/danielgaluszek"},{"teacherId":6329449,"projectId":9739168,"letterContent":"Thank you on behalf of the students and staff at Central. What may seem like an odd item for a high school truly has a big impact.\r\n\r\nAs an alternative high school, we are constantly seeking creative ways to build a positive, welcoming environment where students feel motivated, valued, and excited to attend. The addition of this slushie machine is more than a fun treat, but a tool for our positive behavior support system.\r\n\r\nSmall celebrations of success help us reinforce behaviors. It makes staff happy too. Thanks for helping support our community in such a fun and unique way!","fullyFundedDate":1758841550696,"projectUrl":"project/slushie-machine-for-success-celebrations/9739168/","projectTitle":"Slushie Machine for Success Celebrations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6329449_orig.jpg?crop=506,506,x1176,y343&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565404313885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6329449"},{"teacherId":6329449,"projectId":9482971,"letterContent":"There is nothing I love more than finding the right book at the right time to put in the hands of a student. I teach juniors and seniors and most of them telling me they hate reading or they haven't read a book since elementary school. It breaks my heart.\r\n\r\nBut I have a secret weapon. You! Your donation to this project allowed me to get a large amount of new and high interest books for my classroom library. Graphic novels, novels in verse, novels with characters who have similar life experiences, and books my students enjoyed as younger students. These are the books that are helping me to hook readers again.\r\n\r\nSince the books have arrived, I have experienced the joy of getting a previous \"I hate reading\" kid to be a \"I'll give it a try\" kid to a \"Can I take this home\" kid. Nothing makes me feel more excited.That doesn't happen without your support. I can't tell you how much appreciate the gift your donation has made. Not just a gift of books, but the gift of readers.","fullyFundedDate":1753899642387,"projectUrl":"project/upgrade-my-classroom-library/9482971/","projectTitle":"Upgrade My Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6329449_orig.jpg?crop=506,506,x1176,y343&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565404313885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6329449"},{"teacherId":6329449,"projectId":9431740,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom. The items your donation provided have helped to create a more comfortable and welcoming classroom. We are in a 100 year old building and consequently there are challenges that come from that. Having new items like the fan and air purifier will help us regulate the temperature and air in the room. \r\n\r\nThe other items like bandaids, tissues, and hair ties will help my students stay in the classroom for minor distributions that might otherwise require a trip to the nurse or bathroom. The speakers and DVD player will help with the presentation of the district curriculum that currently require us to share materials between teachers.\r\n\r\nAll of these items will help make this year more comfortable and productive. None of them would have been possible with your kindness and generosity. I can't thank you enough for the support.","fullyFundedDate":1752038972616,"projectUrl":"project/make-our-classroom-thrive/9431740/","projectTitle":"Make Our Classroom Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6329449_orig.jpg?crop=506,506,x1176,y343&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565404313885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6329449"},{"teacherId":6329449,"projectId":9521385,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kindness. When people think about school needs they often think of pencils and books, but you gave to a different type of project. This project allows us to meet the personal needs of our students.\r\n\r\nMany of our students face significant barriers in their education and your donation allowed us to remove one of those barriers. The ability to provide personal care items helps to increase attendance and comfort. No academic standards really matter if our students aren't there or are worried about their personal needs.\r\n\r\nTo know there are incredible people in the world who are silently supporting my students by donating to a project like this is incredible. Thank you for thoughtfulness. Please know you have made a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1755043964311,"projectUrl":"project/personal-care-products-should-not-be-a-l/9521385/","projectTitle":"Personal Care Products Should Not Be A Luxury.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6329449_orig.jpg?crop=506,506,x1176,y343&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565404313885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6329449"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25658","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":113,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":53,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"5.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":83.6,"schoolId":25658,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Central School Programs on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Central School Programs","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/elgin-school-district-u-46/central-school-programs/25658"}

About this school

Central School Programs is an urban public school in Elgin, Illinois that is part of Elgin School District U - 46. It serves 113 students in grades Not specified with a student/teacher ratio of 5.9:1. Its teachers have had 13 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Not specified

113 Students

19 Teachers

355 E Chicago St

Elgin, IL 60120 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Central School Programs Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mr. Galuszek

Mrs. Hanson

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Central School Programs Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

66%

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.

Central School Programs Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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