{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gardner High School","outOfStateSupporters":24.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9559613,"projectId":8963019,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, the 12th-grade students of Gardner High have had the invaluable opportunity to explore Frank Herbert's Dune, a work that has proven not just to be an extraordinary piece of literature, but a powerful mirror reflecting the complex issues and challenges our students face as they transition into the real world.\r\n\r\nAs we journeyed through the story of Paul Atreides and his reluctant rise to leadership on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis, students drew striking parallels between Paul's struggles and their own feelings of uncertainty about the future. Much like Paul, who is thrust into an unfamiliar and overwhelming world, our students find themselves standing at the threshold of adulthood, often feeling as unprepared and unsure as he does. Through discussions about themes such as responsibility, power, identity, and survival, students have explored how these universal issues connect to their own personal lives, helping them to process and confront their fears, hopes, and aspirations as they prepare to enter the \"real world.\"\r\n\r\nThe impact of reading Dune has been profound. The students have developed a deeper understanding of their own agency in shaping their futures, as well as a stronger sense of resilience in the face of adversity. The book has opened up meaningful conversations about the pressures they face as they move from the familiar world of high school to the unknowns of adulthood, and how to navigate this transition with courage and awareness.\r\n\r\nYour support has not only provided access to a thought-provoking piece of literature but has also sparked critical thinking, personal growth, and emotional development in our students, allowing them to connect their own stories to the larger themes of the novel. For this, we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping to create a space where our students can learn, grow, and explore their futures with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1735657617683,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-a-love-for-reading/8963019/","projectTitle":"Exploring a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tackett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9559613_orig.jpg?crop=946,947,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717093486174","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9559613"},{"teacherId":9829859,"projectId":8928028,"letterContent":"My students have been given the opportunity to manage a small business and continue to develop their executive functioning skills, all while working together as a team. The coffee shop has given them great responsibilities of organizing and keeping stock of inventory, use interpersonal skills with staff when taking and delivering drink orders, money skills management, kitchen hygiene and they have a great sense of pride because of their contributions and the smile it brings staff members. My young adults light up when coffee orders come in and they love participating in the program. We thank you all for your generous donations in order for us to have this opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1732615449766,"projectUrl":"project/rise-shine-coffee-cart-student-coffee/8928028/","projectTitle":"RISE & Shine Coffee Cart: Student Coffee Business- Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LePenske","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9829859"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_42120","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":808,"numTeachers":58,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"8 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":75.5,"schoolId":42120,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gardner High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gardner High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/gardner-public-schools/gardner-high-school/42120"}
Join the 94 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Gardner High School is
a suburban public school
in Gardner, Massachusetts that is part of Gardner Public Schools.
It serves 808 students
in grades 8 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.9:1.
Its teachers have had 18 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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.
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
31%
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.
Gardner 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.
Gardner High School
$8,805
raised using DonorsChoose
18
projects
funded
10
teachers
funded
94
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
11
projects for
books
Gardner High School has received support from
71 individuals from Massachusetts and
23 individuals out-of-state.