{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillcrest High School","outOfStateSupporters":32.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7031620,"projectId":10539068,"letterContent":"When I was explaining to my students how we got almost $500 worth of snacks for our snack cabinet, they were so excited. When I told them that it was through donations from anonymous community members and people who don't even live in our community, they were shocked. This is the kind of behavior I like to be able to show them. Kindness and support from complete strangers. It's good for them to know that there are people in the world who simply like to help.\r\n\r\nThe energy in my classroom every day right now is noticeably higher, and this is thanks to your donation. Kids who come in from morning practice, tired and hungry, can grab a snack and they're suddenly that much more ready to learn. Kids who perhaps forgot their lunch at home that day come in to ask for a snack, and I'm glad to be able to give them that. Students who know they have to stay after school for two hours will come by at the end of the day to grab something to tide them over until after their practice or rehearsal or whatever it may be, and I'm so happy to be able to help them. Your donation has created this joy and atmosphere, and I'm so grateful to you.","fullyFundedDate":1793225828397,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-the-learning-fire/10539068/","projectTitle":"Fuel for the Learning Fire","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Huntley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7031620_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598715086727","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7031620"},{"teacherId":5974646,"projectId":10694381,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to our Hillcrest athletes. The typical student-athlete starts their day with training around 6:30am, attends classes all day, and often spends after school hours with tutorials or other extra-curriculars, meaning they are spending upwards of 12 hours on campus. Most students only have access to nutrition through our school-provided breakfast and lunch, and the chips and coke available in vending machines. \r\n\r\nThanks to generous donors like you, our athletes have come to rely on the food made available by donors choose projects. They now know they can find dependable and healthy options when they are hungry on campus, and were so excited to see a new shipment of snacks. Your donation helps ensure our students who dedicate so much to their academic and athletic endeavors are able to properly fuel their bodies. This kind of support enables Hillcrest Athletics to be the platform that our students utilize to chase their dreams.","fullyFundedDate":1792618660578,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-that-fuel-active-athletes/10694381/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks That Fuel Active Athletes","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Balderas-Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5974646_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539580476298","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coach-balderas"},{"teacherId":9108004,"projectId":9907045,"letterContent":"Our next step is to transform our Biology classroom into a fossil excavation site where students will have the opportunity to become paleontologists for a day! As we begin our Fossil Evidence and Evolution Unit, students will carefully excavate their fossil eggs, uncover hidden specimens, and experience the excitement of making their own scientific discoveries.\r\n\r\nOnce students uncover their fossils, they will examine their specimens, record observations, and compare their findings with those of their classmates. We will use these discoveries to explore how fossils provide evidence of Earth's history, how organisms have changed over millions of years, and how some species have remained relatively unchanged through a process called stasis. Students will also practice using scientific evidence to support their explanations, just like real scientists.\r\n\r\nThis experience is particularly meaningful for my emergent bilingual students, who often understand scientific concepts best when they can physically interact with what they are learning. Instead of simply looking at pictures in a textbook or memorizing definitions, they will get to touch, investigate, question, and make connections through their own discoveries.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, one of my favorite things is seeing my students genuinely excited about learning. Although they are high school freshmen, I never want them to lose that childhood curiosity or the excitement of discovering something new. I want them to see that Biology is not just another class they have to pass, but a subject that helps them understand the world around them.\r\n\r\nI'm especially excited to watch my students work together, share their discoveries, and proudly show off the fossils they uncover. My hope is that this lesson will not only strengthen their understanding of evolution but also build their confidence, encourage curiosity, and create a classroom memory they will carry with them beyond 9th grade.\r\n\r\nThanks to our generous donors, my students will have the opportunity to experience science in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and memorable. I cannot wait to bring this experience to life and share their discoveries with you!","fullyFundedDate":1763580657919,"projectUrl":"project/paleontologists-in-high-school/9907045/","projectTitle":"Paleontologists In High School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9108004_orig.jpg?crop=1706,1706,x88,y696&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754409636703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9108004"},{"teacherId":8839375,"projectId":10237344,"letterContent":"Now that Homecoming has come and gone, I finally have the opportunity to tell you what your support actually created.\r\n\r\nHomecoming was AMAZING.\r\n\r\nThis year was especially meaningful because Homecoming was back at home, and there was something incredibly special about watching our students celebrate together on their own campus. Throughout the planning process, I kept saying that I wanted our students to have an experience that felt exciting, memorable, and worthy of the memories they would carry with them after high school. Because of you, that is exactly what happened.\r\n\r\nOur students truly enjoyed themselves.\r\n\r\nThey danced. They laughed. They dressed up. They celebrated with their friends. They took pictures over and over again, and then came back to take even more.\r\n\r\nAnd the photo booth was EVERYTHING!\r\n\r\nIt became one of the highlights of the night. Students gathered around it with their friends, posed for pictures, changed poses, grabbed different groups, and captured moments that they will be able to look back on long after Homecoming is over. Watching them enjoy it made me realize that something that may seem as simple as a photo booth really became part of the experience. It helped make the night feel complete.\r\n\r\nThere were so many moments throughout the evening when I could simply stand back and watch our students enjoying themselves. No worrying about whether they belonged there. No worrying about whether their experience looked different because of what they could or could not afford. They were simply students enjoying their Homecoming.\r\n\r\nThat was the entire purpose behind Panther Pride: Homecoming Celebration Without Barriers.\r\n\r\nI wanted to help create an experience where finances did not determine who got to participate fully in the memories of high school. Your donations helped us transform spaces, create beautiful photo opportunities, add lighting and decorations, and give our students an atmosphere that felt like a true celebration.\r\n\r\nBut your contribution gave them something much bigger than decorations.\r\n\r\nYou gave them memories.\r\n\r\nYou helped create the pictures that are now sitting in camera rolls and being posted on social media. You helped create the stories students are still telling their friends. You helped create the laughter, the dancing, the group pictures, and those little moments that become the things students remember years later when they think about high school.\r\n\r\nOur students have talked about how much they enjoyed Homecoming and how special it was to have the celebration back at home at Hillcrest. Hearing them talk about the night afterward has been one of my favorite parts of this entire project because it confirmed that everything we worked toward was worth it.\r\n\r\nAs an educator, I spend a lot of time thinking about academics, grades, lessons, and preparing students for what comes next. But I also believe school should give students opportunities to feel connected, celebrated, and proud of where they belong.\r\n\r\nThat night, our Panthers felt that.\r\n\r\nAnd you helped make it possible.\r\n\r\nTo every person who donated, shared the project, told someone else about it, or simply believed in the vision, thank you.\r\n\r\nThank you for trusting me with your donation.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us remove barriers.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, thank you for helping give our students a Homecoming they will remember.\r\n\r\nFrom one very grateful teacher and an entire campus full of Panthers,\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us bring Homecoming home. ❤️🖤🐾","fullyFundedDate":1787150735266,"projectUrl":"project/panther-pride-homecoming-celebration-wi/10237344/","projectTitle":"Panther Pride Homecoming: Celebration Without Barriers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holmes-Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8839375_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668124758986","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsaht"},{"teacherId":8839375,"projectId":10393219,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping make A Classroom Where Every Mind Can Glow possible! I am truly grateful for every single person who chose to support my students and my classroom. As a teacher, I put a lot of thought into creating a space where my students can walk in and feel comfortable, welcomed, supported, and ready to learn, and your generosity is helping me do exactly that.\r\n\r\nThese materials may seem like small things individually, but together they help create an environment that feels organized, positive, and intentional. My students spend so much of their day at school, and I want my classroom to be a place where they can take a breath, feel encouraged, stay focused, and know that someone thought about what they might need to be successful. From the classroom displays and organization materials to the calming lighting and positive reminders, each item will have a purpose throughout our school year.\r\n\r\nWhat means the most to me is being able to tell my students that people they may never meet cared enough to invest in them. That is something bigger than any classroom supply. It is a reminder that their education matters, their well-being matters, and they matter.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students, supporting my classroom, and helping me create a space where every mind has the opportunity to learn, grow, and glow. I truly appreciate you more than I can say.","fullyFundedDate":1786982965419,"projectUrl":"project/a-colorful-classroom-where-every-mind-ca/10393219/","projectTitle":"A Colorful Classroom Where Every Mind Can Glow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holmes-Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8839375_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668124758986","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsaht"},{"teacherId":8839375,"projectId":10446967,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring Helping Student Ideas Stick to life! I am truly so grateful for your support and for believing in my students.\r\n\r\nI cannot wait to tell them that this project was fully funded! There is something really special about being able to tell students that people they may never meet saw their classroom, believed in what they were doing, and chose to invest in them. Because of you, they will have the supplies they need to brainstorm, work together, create, and actually bring some of those big ideas in their heads to life.\r\n\r\nThese materials are not going to be used for just one project and then put away. We will use them over and over again for lessons, group activities, projects, planning, and so many of the creative things we do throughout the year.\r\n\r\nThank you for choosing my classroom, supporting my students, and helping make learning a little more colorful, creative, and fun. We are so grateful for you, and I cannot wait to see all of the BIG ideas that are about to stick!","fullyFundedDate":1786982968468,"projectUrl":"project/helping-student-ideas-stick/10446967/","projectTitle":"Helping Student Ideas Stick","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holmes-Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8839375_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668124758986","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsaht"},{"teacherId":10113336,"projectId":9540093,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring this project to life for our Hillcrest Lady Panthers! We are using the new basketball nets, agility cones, blocking pads, coaching boards, ball pumps, and whistles during our daily practices. The cones have allowed us to create more effective footwork, speed, and ball-handling drills, while the blocking pads help our players practice finishing strong through contact. The coaching boards have also made it easier to teach plays and defensive strategies in a clear, visual way.\r\n\r\nOur players were excited when they first saw all the new equipment. They immediately wanted to use the cones and blocking pads, and their energy during practice showed how much it meant to them to receive quality training resources. One of the best moments was watching the girls encourage one another as they worked through a new agility and finishing circuit. The equipment made practice more challenging and enjoyable while helping our athletes build confidence, teamwork, and discipline.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue using these materials to create competitive practice stations that develop the skills we will need throughout the season. As our players improve, we will introduce more advanced drills and use the coaching boards to deepen their understanding of game situations. Because of your generosity, our students have a better environment in which to train, grow, and become stronger athletes and leaders. Thank you for investing in our team!","fullyFundedDate":1757620395418,"projectUrl":"project/hillcrest-hoops-essential-training-equi/9540093/","projectTitle":"Hillcrest Hoops: Essential Training Equipment for Our Girls Team","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Norton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10113336"},{"teacherId":2871220,"projectId":10096201,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing my students with the materials they will use to transform their digital designs into finished products. My students are currently learning how to use Autodesk Inventor to design their own original products. As they create their models, they are learning how to use precise measurements, visualize objects in three dimensions, and make thoughtful design choices. They are excited to know that the skills they are practicing will soon allow them to create real objects they can hold and use.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students were excited to see all the different ways they could finish and personalize their future projects. The LED kits, earring hardware, lapel pin backings, keychain rings, magnets, and finishing supplies helped them imagine possibilities beyond what they could see on their computer screens.\r\n\r\nThe next step is for students to complete and refine their original designs before preparing them for 3D printing. They will evaluate their finished models, make corrections, and learn how the design process continues through testing and improvement. Later, they will use the donated materials to create functional lamps, jewelry, keychains, pins, magnets, and other personalized items. Thank you for giving my students the resources to explore engineering, build confidence, and bring their ideas to life.","fullyFundedDate":1777830351366,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-ideas-to-life-with-3d-design/10096201/","projectTitle":"Bringing Ideas to Life with 3D Design","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2871220_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474557624427","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2871220"},{"teacherId":9626170,"projectId":10017848,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting \"Spring Fueling Focus.\" Because of your generosity, my students have access to snacks that help them feel cared for, energized, and ready to focus. We use these resources throughout the school day whenever students need an extra boost. Having them available has helped create a more welcoming and encouraging classroom environment.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited and grateful when they first saw the materials. The variety of snacks made them feel special, and they appreciated knowing that others were invested in their success. A quick snack can help a student settle in, regain energy, and remain engaged. The resources also allow me to recognize consistent effort, participation, improvement, and positive classroom choices.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue using these resources to support students throughout the busy semester and celebrate their progress. Your donation has strengthened both student motivation and our classroom community. Most importantly, it reminds my students that people outside our classroom believe in them. Thank you for making such a thoughtful and meaningful difference!","fullyFundedDate":1772550268813,"projectUrl":"project/spring-fueling-focus/10017848/","projectTitle":"Spring Fueling Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merritt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9626170_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723755704403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626170"},{"teacherId":9626170,"projectId":9539727,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my project, \"Tasty Incentives, Big Achievements.\" Your generosity has helped me create a positive and motivating classroom environment for my students. We use the snacks and incentives to recognize consistent effort, participation, completed assignments, improvement, and positive choices. These rewards help students feel noticed and appreciated while encouraging them to continue doing their best.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited when they first saw the new materials and immediately began asking how they could earn them. The incentives have increased enthusiasm and given students something fun to work toward. I have also noticed students encouraging one another, taking greater pride in their accomplishments, and becoming more willing to participate.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue setting goals, tracking their progress, and celebrating both individual and class achievements. Your contribution provided more than tasty treats, it helped build confidence, motivation, and a stronger sense of classroom community. Thank you for investing in my students and helping us recognize every step of their growth!","fullyFundedDate":1761343389379,"projectUrl":"project/tasty-incentives-big-achievements/9539727/","projectTitle":"“Tasty Incentives, Big Achievements”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merritt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9626170_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723755704403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626170"},{"teacherId":9416452,"projectId":10352345,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my English teacher heart, thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our refreshed reading corner.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students walked into the classroom, their faces lit up. The bright blue chair was an immediate hit, quickly becoming the most sought-after seat in the room. The new bookends do a fantastic job showcasing our \"Books of the Month,\" turning our display into a focal point that draws students in. They can't wit for me to start reading corener Fridays!\r\n\r\nYour support allowed us to bring in diverse new titles that truly reflect and appeal to our student population. In particular, the new graphic novels have been a game-changer for my English Language Learners, offering an accessible, engaging way to build confidence and literacy skills. To top it off, the magnetic bookmarks have served as the perfect reward—or, as the kids put it, a seriously \"cool addition.\"\r\n\r\nAs a no-phone school, my goal is to create a safe haven where students can disconnect from screens and fully immerse themselves in the power of a good story. Thanks to you, this refreshed space is already helping them discover new ideas, expand their vocabulary, and see our classroom as a fun, welcoming place to be.\r\n\r\nThank you for reigniting my students' excitement for reading. Your kindness has made a lasting impact on our classroom community. that will make a a great year going forward!","fullyFundedDate":1783995404782,"projectUrl":"project/booked-for-success-fresh-reads-for-10th/10352345/","projectTitle":"Booked for Success: Fresh Reads for 10th Grade ELAR","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9416452_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1703006155033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9416452"},{"teacherId":7666706,"projectId":10240488,"letterContent":"Although this project was funded after the Class of 2026 celebrated their final events, its impact is already being felt. The snacks were repurposed to welcome the Class of 2027 during their Senior Sunrise, the tradition that marks the beginning of their final year together. It was the perfect reminder that every donation finds its purpose in celebrating our students.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the greatest gift this project provides is peace of mind. Thanks to your generosity, we already have the organizational supplies and resources needed for the Class of 2027's end-of-year celebrations. Instead of worrying about gathering materials at the last minute, we can focus on creating meaningful traditions and unforgettable memories. Your support has allowed us to prepare in advance, ensuring the next senior class can enjoy a well-organized, joy-filled year from their very first celebration to their very last. Thank you for investing in both the present and the future of our Panthers.","fullyFundedDate":1784651472859,"projectUrl":"project/a-final-celebration-worth-remembering/10240488/","projectTitle":"A Final Celebration Worth Remembering","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McCarter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7666706_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669922422849","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmccarter01"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_11769","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1414,"numTeachers":73,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":68,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"19.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.7,"schoolId":11769,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillcrest High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillcrest High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/dallas-independent-school-district/hillcrest-high-school/11769"}