Your web browser might not work well with our site. We recommend you upgrade your browser.
{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Maine West High School","outOfStateSupporters":40.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10173881,"projectId":9584886,"letterContent":"My students and I truly appreciate your support. Because of your generosity, I am able to support not only their academic growth but also their emotional well-being in meaningful ways. The candy and stress balls are already making a difference in our classroom. Something as simple as candy is used as a quick, fun incentive to encourage participation, positive behavior, and academic effort. Whether a student volunteers a thoughtful answer, takes a risk during discussion, or shows improvement, these small rewards help make learning feel exciting and motivating. I've seen students who are usually hesitant become more willing to engage, knowing their effort will be recognized.\r\nThe stress balls have been just as impactful. Many of my students feel the pressures of school, and having a simple, healthy way to release tension during challenging lessons has helped them stay focused and regulated. I've noticed improved concentration during silent reading, independent work time and fewer distractions during longer activities. Students appreciate having a tool that helps them manage stress in a positive way.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were genuinely excited. They immediately asked how they could earn rewards and were eager to use the stress balls responsibly. That excitement translated into increased participation and a stronger sense of classroom community. Moving forward, we will continue using these incentives to reinforce effort, perseverance, and respectful collaboration. My goal is to build habits of engagement that extend beyond individual lessons and help students feel confident in all areas of their learning.\r\nThese simple items have helped create an environment where students feel supported, motivated, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping me build a classroom where students want to participate and believe their hard work matters.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n My students are resilient, curious, and capable of so much. Because of your generosity, I am able to support not only their academic growth but also their emotional well-being in meaningful ways.\r\nThe candy and stress balls you helped provide are already making a difference in our classroom. Something as simple as candy is used as a quick, fun incentive to celebrate participation, positive behavior, and academic effort. Whether a student volunteers a thoughtful answer, takes a risk during discussion, or shows noticeable improvement, these small rewards help make learning feel exciting and motiva","fullyFundedDate":1764783096183,"projectUrl":"project/boosting-motivation-one-treat-at-a-time/9584886/","projectTitle":"Boosting Motivation One Treat at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vlahos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10173881"},{"teacherId":8455411,"projectId":9326514,"letterContent":"This project has been tremendously helpful throughout the entire school year. The environment within my classroom has transformed into a joyful, positive, and highly engaging space where students feel motivated and excited to learn. Your contributions have had a direct and meaningful impact on the daily experiences of my students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, I've been able to provide students with thoughtful birthday gifts and prizes that make them feel seen and celebrated. I've also incorporated creative, hands-on activities such as forming stories out of playdoh—which have encouraged imagination, collaboration, and self-expression. Additionally, your help has allowed me to stay organized with classroom materials, ensuring that lessons run smoothly and efficiently. The candy incentives have been a huge hit as well, adding a fun gamification element that inspires students to stay focused, participate, and put forth their best effort.\r\n\r\nDuring group work, my students use the flip chart to signal when they have questions or need assistance. This system has greatly improved communication and allowed for smoother, more independent group collaboration. The voice-level chart has also played an important role in guiding students to regulate their speaking volume, helping maintain a calm and productive atmosphere. These tools, along with all the materials provided through this project, have contributed to a more structured, supportive, and enjoyable learning environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and creatively.\r\n\r\nOverall, your generosity has made a noticeable difference in our classroom community. The positive energy, engagement, and growth we've seen this year would not have been possible without your support.","fullyFundedDate":1752521354198,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-management-complete/9326514/","projectTitle":"Classroom Management Complete!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hattab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8455411_orig.jpg?crop=1169,1170,x0,y592&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714756338927","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8455411"},{"teacherId":9866300,"projectId":8993039,"letterContent":"When I presented the blank books to my students, they were curious about how we would use them. Once they realized they'd be using them to create their own storybooks to explain Supreme Court cases, they wanted to come up with amazing ideas. Instead of writing a typical research paper, they're using the books to break down complex legal decisions like Tinker v. Des Moines and New Jersey v. T.L.O into something that younger students could understand. It has been a different kind of challenge for them but one that has helped them break down ideas and think critically about audience, clarity, and purpose. \r\n\r\nRight now, students are wrapping up their research and starting to draft their pages. They're working on balancing being historically accurate with clear storytelling, and the physical books have made the project feel more real. Our next step will be a showcase where students share their finished books with each other and read them to our preschool class. Thank you for helping bring a more creative and meaningful approach to civics in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1735689440082,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-young-people-through-creativity/8993039/","projectTitle":"Engaging Young People Through Creativity: Supreme Court Case Storybooks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. T","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9866300"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28135","usesÐǿմ«Ã½":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1825,"numTeachers":130,"percentFrplEligible":53,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":37,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":59.1,"schoolId":28135,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Maine West High School on @Ðǿմ«Ã½:","schoolName":"Maine West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/maine-township-high-school-district-207/maine-west-high-school/28135"}
Join the 44 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Maine West High School is
an urban public school
in Des Plaines, Illinois that is part of Maine Township High School District 207.
It serves 1,825 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.0:1.
Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on Ðǿմ«Ã½.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
Ðǿմ«Ã½ is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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.
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
58%
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.
Maine West High School Support on Ðǿմ«Ã½
Last updated Mar 5, 2026
Ðǿմ«Ã½ 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.
Maine West High School
$3,911
raised using Ðǿմ«Ã½
9
projects
funded
6
teachers
funded
44
donors
1
project
for
art supplies
Maine West High School has received support from
26 individuals from Illinois and
18 individuals out-of-state.