{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington - Parks Academy","outOfStateSupporters":31.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6433076,"projectId":8756666,"letterContent":"Returning from winter break I received the most amazing news that humbled me to tears – my project was funded through the kindness and generosity of strangers on Donors Choose. Over the past few months, my students have enjoyed our new items immensely. I work with middle school students who are usually at least three grade levels below in reading at a school just outside of Detroit, Michigan. Throughout my ten years at this school, I have done my best to provide support for our students, encourage reading, and try to get them to develop a love of literacy. The struggle has always been to keep them motivated to continue working hard because they are testing so low. Growing from 1st to 2nd grade in reading between September and January is amazing but doesn't always feel amazing when they are in middle school. The road is long, feels endless, and impossible and I have seen them fizzle before the May testing cycle. Getting new items has created a spark of joy and interest for my small groups and reignited them to grow even more before the end of the year!\r\nAlthough they were not on the original request and were only purchased due to requested book sets out of stock at the time, the headphones were very helpful during our testing cycle and provided students with the opportunity to play the audio clips and directions to their test without disrupting the testing environment of others. It also saved me from the burden of constantly buying cheap earbuds that break or get lost every testing round. Since they are over the ear, it also makes these headphones a breeze to quickly wipe down between uses!\r\nStudents have loved the new titles that were bought from our Donors Choose friends and they have been a smashing success! It has caused a resurgence of interest in my classroom library. This means everything to me, and to their continued reading growth! The more students read the more they grow and gain interest in reading! The more interest they have in reading, the more they grow! The more they grow, the more confident they are in their reading skills and abilities. The more confident they are the more they are willing to work to continue their growth and success. The titles that I selected from Donors Choose are ones that my students specifically had been asking for in my collection. Since my books have come from used book sales and donations, I have been limited to what I could find, or what I had been gifted from friends, family, or the Kiwanis Club. The students are overjoyed at the selection of graphic novels that were purchased and so happy to see them on my shelves. \r\nBy far, the games have been a favorite addition to my classroom. The kids love all of them and welcomed the different types. I do have some games that I have used in the past, but they are literacy games with questions, and even the games at the lowest level are difficult for my struggling readers to read the cards and comprehend them. They are dependent on my help to get through the questions, and I know that it's frustrating for them. For my lowest groups, Boggle has been a huge hit for the kids and for me as a teacher. With the timer aside we can focus on word families, how a magic \"e\" can change everything, and even practice letter sounds. The lists that they have come up with have been amazing long, and that has built up their confidence as readers and spellers! Tapple is their favorite of the games from Donors Choose. 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Washington - Parks Academy

Join the 224 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Washington - Parks Academy is a suburban public school in Redford, Michigan that is part of Cornerstone Education Group. It serves 591 students in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.0:1. Its teachers have had 64 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 8

591 Students

37 Teachers

11685 Appleton

Redford, MI 48239 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

Washington - Parks Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Washington - Parks Academy Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

98%

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.

Washington - Parks Academy 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.

Washington - Parks Academy

$30,557

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

224

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

Washington - Parks Academy has received support from 153 individuals from Michigan and 71 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Washington - Parks Academy

About this school

Equity Focus School

Washington - Parks Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Washington - Parks Academy Demographics

Washington - Parks Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Washington - Parks Academy

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.