{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Topeka West High School","outOfStateSupporters":31.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8434453,"projectId":9380083,"letterContent":"The costume storage materials have had an immediate and meaningful impact on both our students' learning and the daily function of our theatre program. Students are actively using the new racks, bins, and organizational tools to sort costumes by show, character, size, and type. During our recent production work, one powerful moment came when students were able to quickly locate specific costume pieces for fittings without frustration or lost time—something that used to take an entire class period. Instead, that time was spent collaborating, problem-solving, and refining design choices.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new storage materials, their reaction was a mix of excitement and relief. Many commented on how \"professional\" the space felt and how much easier it was to move through the costume area with a clear system in place. For students serving on the costume and wardrobe crews, the organization helped them feel trusted and empowered to take ownership of the space. It also reinforced important real-world skills like responsibility, inventory management, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to support students as they move into upcoming productions and classroom projects. Students are currently learning how to maintain costume inventories, track usage across multiple shows, and prepare costumes efficiently for quick changes and rehearsals. The next step in their learning is applying these organizational systems independently—training new crew members, managing costumes for multiple productions at once, and reflecting on how organization directly supports creativity and collaboration. Because of this project, students aren't just learning how to perform or design—they're learning how a well-run theatre operates, and that knowledge will serve them far beyond the stage.","fullyFundedDate":1758807239671,"projectUrl":"project/costume-storage/9380083/","projectTitle":"Costume Storage","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Murphy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8434453_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698245982657","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8434453"},{"teacherId":8434453,"projectId":9309617,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation of the airbrush makeup tool and accessories, our students have been able to experience professional-level theatrical design in a way that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. We first used the airbrush during our recent production of Alice vs. Wonderland, where students applied it to create smooth, stylized looks for fantasy characters—soft gradients for magical creatures, subtle aging effects, and bold storybook details that elevated the entire visual world of the show. One standout moment was watching a student designer carefully airbrush highlights and shadows on a performer's face and then step back, amazed at how instantly \"the character came alive.\"\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reaction was pure excitement. For many of them, this was their first time handling industry-standard makeup equipment, and it immediately made the work feel more real and more meaningful. There was a lot of curiosity, a lot of careful experimentation, and a strong sense of pride as they realized they were being trusted with tools used by professionals. It sparked conversations about careers in makeup design, film, theatre, and cosmetology—paths some students hadn't previously considered.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to be a core part of our classroom and production work. The airbrush system will be used again in two upcoming productions, where students will build on what they learned by designing cohesive makeup concepts, practicing safe and hygienic application techniques, and collaborating across design teams. In class, students are currently refining their skills through guided practice and peer feedback, moving from basic techniques to more advanced character design. Because of your support, students aren't just learning about theatre—they're actively creating, problem-solving, and gaining confidence through hands-on, authentic experiences. Your contribution has truly expanded what our students believe is possible.","fullyFundedDate":1754780818384,"projectUrl":"project/airbursh-makeup/9309617/","projectTitle":"Airbursh Makeup","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Murphy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8434453_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698245982657","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8434453"},{"teacherId":8869203,"projectId":8462552,"letterContent":"Your donation has greatly impacted my art classroom! It provided students with the opportunity to explore new technology and create art that was both original and unique. In the progressing times of art shifting to more tech based art, it was so great to see students get involved and fully invest in the art making process.\r\n\r\nStudents were able to learn about new programs and learn to draw digitally using the digital drawing pads that I was able to integrate into the classroom. It gave them the chance to get out of their comfort zone and way from traditional drawing techniques and elevate their learning in a digital way!","fullyFundedDate":1723058626372,"projectUrl":"project/creating-art-through-the-exploration-of/8462552/","projectTitle":"Creating Art Through the Exploration of Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zuspann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8869203_orig.jpg?crop=905,905,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669775451288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/zuspannart"},{"teacherId":8434453,"projectId":8909825,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous donation of storage materials, our theatre department has seen a remarkable transformation in how we organize, preserve, and access our costume collection. What was once a cluttered, chaotic space is now a clean, efficient, and inspiring work area that empowers students to take pride in their craft.\r\n\r\nStudents now manage costumes with greater independence and professionalism, learning valuable skills in organization, costume care, and backstage management. The improved storage has extended the life of our costumes, allowed us to reuse and repurpose items creatively, and made the design process far more accessible and collaborative. This donation didn't just improve our space—it gave our students a sense of ownership, responsibility, and the tools they need to do their best work.","fullyFundedDate":1739374639016,"projectUrl":"project/costume-storage/8909825/","projectTitle":"Costume Storage","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Murphy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8434453_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698245982657","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8434453"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_57547","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":973,"numTeachers":82,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":44,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":23,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"11.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":68.1,"schoolId":57547,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Topeka West High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Topeka West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kansas/topeka-unified-school-district-501/topeka-west-high-school/57547"}
Join the 91 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Topeka West High School is
an urban public school
in Topeka, Kansas that is part of Topeka Unified School District 501.
It serves 973 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.9:1.
Its teachers have had 26 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
37%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Topeka West High School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 8, 2026
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.
Topeka West High School
$15,197
raised using DonorsChoose
26
projects
funded
11
teachers
funded
91
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
technology
10
projects
for
art supplies
Topeka West High School has received support from
62 individuals from Kansas and
29 individuals out-of-state.
