{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hazelwood Opportunity Center","outOfStateSupporters":50.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6802257,"projectId":9631972,"letterContent":"I first want to thank all of you that donated to and/or shared the link for my classroom project. Your continuous generous donations have made a great impact for my classroom and students! As we all know, food insecurity is increasingly becoming commonplace in our society and has grown tremendously over the last five years. I have seen student homelessness increase firsthand. Your contributions have allowed me to provide something for my students, as I know that some of them only eat when they are with me. Your donations have given them one less thing to be worried about so they can focus on their classwork. I know it is not much, but just seeing the smiles on their face when I opened the food locker for the first time was worth it for me.\r\n\r\nThanks to all of you, whether you shared the link, donated on the platform or in person, your help has made a difference in my students lives. Many of them have trouble grasping the idea that a random person would donate money for them. So from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU SO MUCH! Donors like you are what makes me believe in humanity and that there are caring people out there!\r\n\r\nIn closing, I would like to thank all of you again for thinking of others and helping out those in need. My students are very appreciative! So please keep an eye out for future projects if you would like to help again! Thank you so much and just remember that your donations and support no matter how small or large all impact someone's life in a positive way. I could not have done this without your help, thank you for showing care to my students. I can never thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1759437196898,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-toiletries-for-my-high-school/9631972/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Toiletries for My High School Classes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sherman Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6802257_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723482226959","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6802257"},{"teacherId":9250077,"projectId":9677134,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your thoughtful and generous contribution to my classroom.\r\n\r\nYour donation is greatly appreciated and has been put to immediate use to enhance the educational experience for my students. Resources like those you helped to fund have been crucial in helping me provide a dynamic and well-equipped learning environment.\r\n\r\nOur class is truly fortunate to have supporters who believe in the importance of our work. Your kindness helped us reach our goals and ensures that all students have the tools they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of the students and myself, thank you again for your wonderful support.","fullyFundedDate":1759254073745,"projectUrl":"project/at-risk-learners-in-need-of-classroom-su/9677134/","projectTitle":"At-Risk Learners in Need of Classroom Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bextermueller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9250077_orig.png?crop=440,440,x131,y124&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759270749031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrbextermueller"},{"teacherId":9650260,"projectId":9102494,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of snacks to our classroom. Your thoughtful gift has quickly become a valuable resource for us, helping to keep students energized, focused, and ready to learn throughout the day. We've been using the snacks during group activities and independent work time, and they have made a noticeable difference in students' ability to stay engaged and positive.\r\nYour generosity has had a meaningful impact on both the atmosphere of our classroom and the well-being of my students. Thank you again for supporting our learning community—you've helped create a space where students feel valued, supported, and ready to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1746574370083,"projectUrl":"project/support-my-students-with-classroom-snack/9102494/","projectTitle":"Support My Students With Classroom Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Huff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9650260"},{"teacherId":9639504,"projectId":9183278,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! As a teacher who is also currently in college, having access to a MacBook has made a huge difference. It's allowed me to take online courses more efficiently, stay organized with my schoolwork, and access new teaching strategies and resources that I can bring directly into my classroom.\r\n\r\nThis project is helping me grow both as a student and as an educator. I've already started using what I've learned to create more engaging lessons and incorporate technology in ways that really connect with my students. Your support is not only helping me reach my own goals—it's making a lasting impact on the way I teach and on the success of my students. I'm truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746786081172,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-education-a-macbook-for-pro/9183278/","projectTitle":"\"Empowering Education: a MacBook for Professional Growth\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGaughey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9639504_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724191125037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9639504"},{"teacherId":9639504,"projectId":8985343,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generosity helped us get the supplies we desperately needed—whiteboards, pens, calculators, graphing paper, and pencils—which have already made a huge difference. My students are more engaged during math lessons, and having the right tools has made it easier for them to participate, problem-solve, and stay motivated.\r\n\r\nThe bean bag has also been a wonderful addition. It gives students a place to reset when they're feeling overwhelmed, and it's created a more calming, supportive environment. Sometimes that small moment of comfort makes all the difference in helping a student stay on track. Your donation didn't just provide materials—it showed my students that people believe in them. That kind of encouragement goes a long way, and we're truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1736790709987,"projectUrl":"project/math-made-magical-tools-for-engaged-lea/8985343/","projectTitle":"Math Made Magical: Tools for Engaged Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGaughey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9639504_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724191125037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9639504"},{"teacherId":9639504,"projectId":8982069,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, my classroom became a more focused and supportive space. The snacks made an immediate impact—students were more alert, less distracted, and better able to stay on task throughout the day. Something as simple as having a snack on hand helped ease some of the stress they carry with them and created a more positive classroom environment.\r\n\r\nThe tablet has been just as impactful. It's allowed me to work more closely with students who need extra support, whether that's through targeted lessons, educational apps, or just giving them a quiet space to regroup and refocus. It's helped me meet students where they are and offer the kind of individualized attention they need to grow. Overall, this project gave my students a better shot at success, and I've seen their confidence grow because of it.","fullyFundedDate":1733236628543,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-tech-for-student-success/8982069/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Tech for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGaughey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9639504_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724191125037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9639504"},{"teacherId":9788555,"projectId":8851715,"letterContent":"As we are at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, I send you a heart-felt thank you for your contribution to our students academic and social engagement. \r\nThe gardening supplies have been a big hit with the students. The hands on lessons, outdoors and indoors, gave us all a much needed boost in our days. \r\nStudents participated by reading the lessons built from the workbook, prepping the soil, choosing their seeds, watering practice, and discussing their 'what if's' in anticipation of actually moving from seed to harvest. \r\n You all made this idea a reality in such a short time, we were surprised and delighted. Moving into the 2025-2026 school year, I hope to use the August weather to actually see a planting break ground! What fun will the students have then!","fullyFundedDate":1729735332762,"projectUrl":"project/hazelwoods-opportunity-to-get-centered/8851715/","projectTitle":"Hazelwood's Opportunity to Get Centered & Growing!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9788555_orig.jpg?crop=1982,1982,x1976,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727885503706","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mswalkergrowing"},{"teacherId":6802257,"projectId":9184082,"letterContent":"I first want to thank all of you that donated to and/or shared the link for my classroom project. Your continuous generous donations have made a great impact for my classroom and students! As we all know, food insecurity is increasingly becoming commonplace in our society and has grown tremendously over the last five years. I have seen student homelessness increase firsthand. Your contributions have allowed me to provide something for my students, as I know that some of them only eat when they are with me. Your donations have given them one less thing to be worried about so they can focus on their classwork. I know it is not much, but just seeing the smiles on their face when I opened the food locker for the first time was worth it for me.\r\n\r\nThanks to all of you, whether you shared the link, donated on the platform or in person, your help has made a difference in my students lives. Many of them have trouble grasping the idea that a random person would donate money for them. So from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU SO MUCH! Donors like you are what makes me believe in humanity and that there are caring people out there!\r\n\r\nIn closing, I would like to thank all of you again for thinking of others and helping out those in need. My students are very appreciative! So please keep an eye out for future projects if you would like to help again! Thank you so much and just remember that your donations and support no matter how small or large all impact someone's life in a positive way. I could not have done this without your help, thank you for showing care to my students. I can never thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1746493372712,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-toiletries-for-my-high-school/9184082/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Toiletries for My High School Classes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sherman Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6802257_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723482226959","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6802257"},{"teacherId":9788555,"projectId":8925883,"letterContent":"To the Donors Choose staff and community partners, thank you for answering the call! We welcome your support in providing these much-needed products for our students here at the Hazelwood Opportunity Center.\r\nWith the many hair products we were able to purchase through the Donors Choose site, I teamed with our school nurse who has been able to stock and distribute them to the entire 6-12th grade student population, in any classroom, in the building. \r\nI will share with you how one of our female students had reported a particularly tough morning when she was late to school, and she didn't have a chance to do her hair. Her mood was low and she didn't want to go to class. She even asked to go home. After receiving edge-control, hair gel, a comb, and a coated hair band, she was able to pull her hair neatly into a ponytail puff. She came out of the bathroom with a big smile on her face. \"I feel so much better. Can I go to class now? This is the best nurse's office.\" This seems like such a small thing, but it made a world of difference for her. Her whole attitude was elevated with confidence.\r\nThe young men are benefitting as well when they stop by for the combs, picks, sponges, hair ties, and brushes for their twists, locs, and natural loose or low-cut hair. Our girls express the need for feminine wipes and soap to refresh themselves. They now have access to better products to protect and keep them dry during their monthly menstrual cycle. This helps them so they do not have to miss long periods of time out of their class. They really appreciate the disposable heat packs which reduces the pain of menstrual cramps. \r\nWe have been asked \"how did you get all these items?!\" Our answer is \"through the generous donations from Donors Choose!\" The donors have demonstrated to us how they care about student well-being by contributing funds to supply these much-needed items that help us to help them to be successful in the school environment. We know that there is no reason for a student to experience period poverty or poor self-esteem because of his or her hair.\r\nSo, Donors Choose contributors, we thank you for all you have done for us as a staff and our students.","fullyFundedDate":1732134783207,"projectUrl":"project/invest-in-us-an-opportunity-of-nurturi/8925883/","projectTitle":"Invest in Us: an Opportunity of Nurturing Self-Confidence and Self-Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9788555_orig.jpg?crop=1982,1982,x1976,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727885503706","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mswalkergrowing"},{"teacherId":6802257,"projectId":9069475,"letterContent":"I first want to thank all of you that donated to and/or shared the link for my classroom project. Your continuous generous donations have made a great impact for my classroom and students! As we all know, food insecurity is increasingly becoming commonplace in our society and has grown tremendously over the last five years. I have seen student homelessness increase firsthand. Your contributions have allowed me to provide something for my students, as I know that some of them only eat when they are with me. Your donations have given them one less thing to be worried about so they can focus on their classwork. I know it is not much, but just seeing the smiles on their face when I opened the food locker for the first time was worth it for me.\r\n\r\nThanks to all of you, whether you shared the link, donated on the platform or in person, your help has made a difference in my students lives. Many of them have trouble grasping the idea that a random person would donate money for them. So from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU SO MUCH! Donors like you are what makes me believe in humanity and that there are caring people out there!\r\n\r\nIn closing, I would like to thank all of you again for thinking of others and helping out those in need. My students are very appreciative! Our next project is another Snack Project as well, as supplies are dwindling as my roster continues to expand and I am at capacity! So please keep an eye out for those projects if you would like to help again! Thank you so much and just remember that your donations and support no matter how small or large all impact someone's life in a positive way. I could not have done this without your help, thank you for showing care to my students. I can never thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1738776117915,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-my-high-school-classes/9069475/","projectTitle":"Snacks for My High School Classes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sherman Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6802257_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723482226959","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6802257"},{"teacherId":9250045,"projectId":8955715,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. Your donation will allow my students to preserve the filament needed to make 3D prints. This will allow us to stretch the items we need as far as they will go. I have been amazed at how access to a 3D printed has impacted the learning of my students. They regularly research, problem solve, and attempt to solve problems with a 3D solution.\r\n\r\nYour donation has had a huge impact already, as 3D printing filament degrades fairly rapidly when exposed to air. Having a vacuum sealer is fundamental to preserving the filament used to 3D printer, and has allowed my students to clmake the most of what they have.","fullyFundedDate":1733707375985,"projectUrl":"project/new-vacuum-sealer-to-preserve-3d-printer/8955715/","projectTitle":"New Vacuum Sealer to Preserve 3D Printer Filament","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Scharenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9250045"},{"teacherId":3508386,"projectId":8969400,"letterContent":"My students and I are incredibly grateful for the supplies that your generosity provided us with. All of these materials allowed my students to be creative with their learning and I to be more creative with my teaching. \r\n\r\nMy students have been using the materials to create interactive displays to showcase their mastery of learning and have been asking to do other projects. Students who have been uninterested in learning are engaged and proud of their end results. \r\n\r\nMany of the interactive posters are hanging in the hallway and the students from other teachers have been asking to create similar projects. Your generosity combined with my students' inspiration has spurred other teachers and students to want to participate in this immersive style of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1733153671498,"projectUrl":"project/legendary-learning-supplies/8969400/","projectTitle":"Legendary Learning Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Burford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3508386_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1551471819292","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3508386"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_122436","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":50,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":69,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":82,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":49.5,"schoolId":122436,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hazelwood Opportunity Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hazelwood Opportunity Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/hazelwood-school-district/hazelwood-opportunity-center/122436"}
Join the 109 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Hazelwood Opportunity Center is
a public school
in Saint Louis, Missouri that is part of Hazelwood School District.
It serves 50 students
in grades K - 12.
Its teachers have had 53 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
85%
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.
Hazelwood Opportunity Center Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 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.
Hazelwood Opportunity Center
$23,718
raised using DonorsChoose
53
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
109
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
14
projects for
technology
5
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Hazelwood Opportunity Center has received support from
54 individuals from Missouri and
55 individuals out-of-state.