{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"ACPS Early Childhood Center","outOfStateSupporters":35.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9984686,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. As an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, I rely on careful data collection and collaboration to support my students' growth, and your contribution makes this work more effective and efficient.\r\n\r\nWith a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse, I will be able to work across two screens while analyzing student data, creating individualized data sheets, and holding IEP meetings with families and service providers. This improved setup allows for clearer communication and more organized, responsive planning.\r\n\r\nHaving an efficient workstation helps me track progress more accurately and make informed instructional decisions. Your investment directly supports stronger collaboration, better planning, and improved outcomes for my students. Thank you again for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom and school community.","fullyFundedDate":1773167002787,"projectUrl":"project/dual-screen-setup-for-data-ieps-and-st/9984686/","projectTitle":"Dual-Screen Setup for Data, IEPs, and Student Progress","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":10179518,"projectId":9783956,"letterContent":"In our special needs classroom, my students are exploring and enjoying a variety of sensory tools and toys that help them feel calm, focused, and engaged from our project. From textured fidgets to soft squeezable toys, these items give my students comforting sensory experiences that support their unique learning needs. It's wonderful to watch their smiles and curiosity grow as they discover what helps them feel their best while learning and playing. Thank you for all your love and support! My students are growing everyday thanks to your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1763561765491,"projectUrl":"project/we-see-we-feel-we-learn/9783956/","projectTitle":"We See, We Feel, We Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kierstin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10179518_orig.jpg?crop=1022,1022,x128,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755516998633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10179518"},{"teacherId":10357670,"projectId":9910168,"letterContent":"I am so excited to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our classroom! The new rug and book collection have truly transformed our daily routines and boosted student engagement. Here is a look at how your support is making a difference:\r\nThe rug has become the \"heart\" of our classroom. We now begin every class by gathering together on the rug's colorful circles for our morning meeting. This designated space helps students feel safe and ready to learn right from the start. We wrap up our class in the same cozy spot, winding down by reading from our new book collection, which has helped create a much calmer transition as they prepare to leave. \r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments we've shared recently was during our reading of the book What I Like About Me. After finishing the story, the students were so inspired that everyone wanted a turn with a mirror to say one thing they liked about themselves.\r\nStudent Impact: This activity sparked a beautiful wave of self-confidence and kindness.\r\nIt wasn't just a reading lesson; it was a social-emotional milestone for our group, helping them celebrate their unique differences and build a stronger community.\r\nFirst Reactions\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were absolutely surprised and talkative! They couldn't wait to explore the vibrant patterns on the rug and flip through the pages of the new books. The excitement in the room was palpable—they were so proud to have such beautiful new things that were just for them.\r\n\r\nWe are currently in the middle of our Buildings Unit, and the students are hard at work on some very creative projects:\r\nCityscapes: Using geometric paper shapes (squares, rectangles, etc.), students are designing their own complex cityscapes.\r\nLog Cabins: We are also learning about different types of homes by creating pictures of log cabins.\r\nThank you for giving my students a comfortable place to sit, wonderful stories to read, and a reason to feel so special every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1764624249056,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-rug-books-to-spark-creativity/9910168/","projectTitle":"Colorful Rug & Books to Spark Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Susan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10357670_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764253125027","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10357670"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9675791,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this special project for my students! Because of your generosity, they will have the opportunity to create personalized coasters to proudly share with their families. These hands-on materials will allow them to practice following directions, making choices, and strengthening fine motor skills in a meaningful and engaging way.\r\n\r\nYour support gives my students the chance to express their creativity while building confidence and independence. Watching them take pride in creating something beautiful for their families is truly priceless. We are so grateful for your kindness and for helping make this memorable experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1771027826154,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-artists-big-gifts/9675791/","projectTitle":"Tiny Artists, Big Gifts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":10087534,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! Because of your generosity, my students will take an active role in sorting and stocking the food pantry each week. They will begin by gathering donated items and working together to sort them by category including snacks, canned goods, drinks, and meal items. Students will practice counting and checking labels as they organize applesauce pouches, granola bars, mac and cheese, soup, and juice boxes into clearly marked bins.\r\n\r\nAfter sorting, students will carefully carry the items to the pantry shelves and place them inside. They will restock grab-and-go options and make sure everything is neat and visible for families. Through this process, they are learning responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of caring for their community. This hands-on experience allows them to see how their efforts directly support their peers and families in a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1771965161251,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-and-meals-to-support-our/10087534/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks and Meals to Support Our School Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":10179518,"projectId":9833777,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our special education preschool classroom. We are using our new STEM resources daily to build early math and problem-solving skills. Students love the pattern beads, creating and extending their own patterns while strengthening fine motor skills. When the materials arrived, excitement filled the room—one student immediately gravitated to the weighted scale, carefully counting items all the way up to ten with pride and joy. Your gift is making a meaningful impact!","fullyFundedDate":1762354519320,"projectUrl":"project/outsteming-learners/9833777/","projectTitle":"OutSTEMing Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kierstin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10179518_orig.jpg?crop=1022,1022,x128,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755516998633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10179518"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9887517,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generous donation of snacks like Goldfish, pretzels, popcorn, and mini cookies helps our preschoolers stay nourished, focused, and happy throughout the day. With these treats, every child has the energy they need to learn, play, and grow, making our classroom a welcoming and joyful place.\r\n\r\nSnack time is also an important part of our daily routine. It gives students a chance to practice sharing, requesting, and following directions while building independence and social skills. Your kindness ensures that no child goes hungry and brings comfort, smiles, and encouragement to our classroom community every day.","fullyFundedDate":1770260452065,"projectUrl":"project/snack-time-smiles-for-growing-minds/9887517/","projectTitle":"Snack Time Smiles for Growing Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9956983,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and our students. Your generosity allows my preschoolers to learn through music, movement, and hands-on play. With frogs, scarves, maracas, and drums, students can practice communication, motor skills, turn-taking, and self-expression in joyful ways. These instruments help create inclusive routines that build confidence, support sensory needs, and bring learning to life through shared musical experiences each day.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students can explore rhythm, regulate their emotions, and connect with peers in meaningful, engaging ways. Your support truly helps make our classroom a vibrant, welcoming place where every child can shine.","fullyFundedDate":1765851950550,"projectUrl":"project/building-little-musicians-help-us-add-i/9956983/","projectTitle":"Building Little Musicians: Help Us Add Instruments to Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9947020,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my preschool special education classroom. Your generosity helps me create durable, engaging adapted books that meet my students' unique learning needs. \r\n\r\nWith laminating sheets and Velcro dots, my students can actively participate by matching, sequencing, and interacting with stories while building communication, fine motor, and turn-taking skills. \r\n\r\nThese materials allow my students to feel confident, included, and successful as they learn through hands-on experiences every day.","fullyFundedDate":1767309396090,"projectUrl":"project/helping-little-learners-succeed-with-ada/9947020/","projectTitle":"Helping Little Learners Succeed With Adapted Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":1977981,"projectId":9967366,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and our students. Your generosity provides my preschoolers with engaging play equipment that encourages movement, cooperation, and confidence. \r\n\r\nWith playground balls and a kid-sized cornhole set, students can practice important motor skills, learn to take turns, and enjoy playing together. These materials help create joyful opportunities for learning through active play, supporting both physical development and positive social interactions throughout the school day.","fullyFundedDate":1767020418265,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-moving-and-playing-together/9967366/","projectTitle":"Let’s Get Moving and Playing Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1977981_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590704491877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andrea-handel"},{"teacherId":8891798,"projectId":9750632,"letterContent":"These new book donations have given our preschool students meaningful opportunities to compare and contrast stories with similar themes, while closely examining the details that make each version unique. Through these texts and materials, students are developing early literacy skills such as identifying characters and settings, understanding story structure, and practicing sequencing by recognizing the beginning, middle, and end of a story.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is highly interactive and hands-on. Students often begin with a \"picture walk,\" carefully observing and describing illustrations to predict and retell the story. They also enjoy re-enacting familiar stories from memory and using props to fully immerse themselves in the reading experience. This deepens their overall comprehension and engagement.\r\n\r\nIn particular, the different versions of The Gingerbread Man have had a strong impact on our students' sequencing skills, as they love retelling the story in order and comparing how each version unfolds. We have also noticed a noticeable increase in excitement and interest in our classroom library since adding these new books, with students independently choosing to revisit and explore the stories time and time again.","fullyFundedDate":1762794550738,"projectUrl":"project/pk-3s-all-things-gingerbread/9750632/","projectTitle":"PK <3s ALL things gingerbread","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. House","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8891798"},{"teacherId":10179518,"projectId":9762009,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of the tree-themed materials. These beautiful, nature-inspired items have had a powerful impact on my students' ability to access our curriculum. The visuals, textures, and hands-on elements immediately drew students in, helping them stay engaged during lessons that previously felt overwhelming or abstract. With the tree pieces, students have been able to sort, count, sequence, and build in ways that directly support their developmental goals. Because of your support, I've been able to create more meaningful, sensory-based learning opportunities that connect to our nature and science units. Your kindness has truly helped each child participate, learn, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1759372045441,"projectUrl":"project/trees-leaves-and-forest-friends/9762009/","projectTitle":"Trees, Leaves, and Forest Friends!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kierstin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10179518_orig.jpg?crop=1022,1022,x128,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755516998633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10179518"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_126068","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":26,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":36,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":64.9,"schoolId":126068,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about ACPS Early Childhood Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"ACPS Early Childhood Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/alexandria-city-public-school-district/acps-early-childhood-center/126068"}
Join the 245 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
ACPS Early Childhood Center is
a public school
in Alexandria, Virginia that is part of Alexandria City Public School District.
Its teachers have had 76 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
65%
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.
ACPS Early Childhood Center Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Mar 20, 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.
ACPS Early Childhood Center
$26,111
raised using DonorsChoose
76
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
245
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
9
projects for
technology
15
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
ACPS Early Childhood Center has received support from
159 individuals from Virginia and
86 individuals out-of-state.