Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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The fusion of literary depth and visual storytelling has proven to be an effective strategy for maximizing student interest and intellectual accessibility, ultimately leading to stronger, more meaningful learning outcomes. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for making all of this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1742580607950,"projectUrl":"project/maus-a-powerful-tool-for-learning-and-e/9141101/","projectTitle":"Maus: a Powerful Tool for Learning and Empathy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maryjocallahan-brown"},{"teacherId":9670094,"projectId":9041531,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! We were able to do so many cool creative writing projects this year. My favorite was the \"Your Place\" poem which is modeled after Carl Sandburg's \"Chicago\". The students journal on a place that is special to them, brainstorm, then work on the organization & structure. The results speak for themselves. The students are very proud of their work, so am I, and you should be as well! Thank you again; your support has made so much possible. I do not mean to leave out the CHARGERS and extension cords which are used/borrowed multiple times every single day! Lifesavers!","fullyFundedDate":1738805302396,"projectUrl":"project/building-future-storytellers/9041531/","projectTitle":"Building Future Storytellers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maryjocallahan-brown"},{"teacherId":9670094,"projectId":8969762,"letterContent":"Words feel inadequate to express the gratitude my students and I feel for your incredibly generous gift of the graphic novel versions of /Macbeth/ and /A Midsummer Night's Dream/. When the boxes arrived, there was a palpable buzz in the classroom, a kind of excited energy. \r\n\r\nWe dove into Macbeth first, as it was next on our curriculum. To be completely honest, I was a little nervous. Shakespeare can be daunting, even for seasoned readers. The language, the historical context, the sheer density of the text – it can create a barrier, a sense of \"this isn't for me.\" Many of my students, bright and curious as they are, often come to the table with a quiet hesitation, a sense that certain kinds of literature are beyond their reach.\r\n\r\nBut then, they opened the graphic novels.\r\n\r\nThe visual storytelling was an immediate bridge. The characters, vividly drawn, leapt off the page. The complex plot, broken down into panels and speech bubbles, became clear and accessible. As they read, I could see it: they were understanding, they were engaged, they were following.\r\n\r\nWhat you gave them wasn't just a book; you gave them a key. A key to unlocking a world they might have otherwise felt excluded from. You gave them the confidence to say, \"I get this. I understand Shakespeare.\"\r\n\r\nAnd then, something even more remarkable happened. Because the graphic novel offered a visual and simplified entry point, they were drawn back to the original text. They wanted go back and see Shakespeare's original text and analyze it more closely. They were curious.\r\n\r\nWe've been spending time comparing passages and analyzing how the graphic novel translates the original. They're learning about dramatic irony, soliloquies, and the complexities of ambition and guilt, but they're doing it with a sense of ownership and discovery. They're not just passively receiving information; they're actively engaging with it.\r\n\r\nOne student, who usually hesitates to participate in class discussions, offered a brilliant interpretation of Lady Macbeth's and Macbeth's relationship. His eyes shone with understanding and excitement. It was a moment that, I know, will stay with him for a long time.\r\n\r\nThis experience has been so much more than just a lesson in literature. It's been a lesson in empowerment. It's shown them that they are capable of tackling challenging material, that they have the intellectual curiosity and the analytical skills to engage with complex ideas. It's built their confidence, not just in their academic abilities, but in themselves.\r\n\r\nWe haven't yet delved into A Midsummer Night's Dream, but the students are already speculating about the characters and the magical elements of the play. They're eager to see how the graphic novel will bring that world to life.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has opened a door for them, a door that leads to a world of language, imagination, and understanding. You've given them a gift that will not only enrich their academic experience but also stay with them long after they leave my classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing in them. Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for giving them the opportunity to discover the magic of Shakespeare.\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1733714866406,"projectUrl":"project/much-ado-about-shakespeare/8969762/","projectTitle":"Much Ado About Shakespeare","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maryjocallahan-brown"},{"teacherId":4874162,"projectId":8430145,"letterContent":"Thank you soooo very much!!!!! The integration of iPad into my role of a school counselor has significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of student support services. 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About this school

Thornton Township High School is a suburban public school in Harvey, Illinois that is part of Thornton Township High School District 205. It serves 1,485 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.8:1. Its teachers have had 52 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

1,485 Students

137 Teachers

15001 Broadway Ave

Harvey, IL 60426 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

Thornton Township High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Thornton Township High School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

95%

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.

Thornton Township High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 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.