International Travel
Endowment Campaign
Help provide every Shaker student with the opportunity to travel internationally.
Your Generous Donations
Over the years, your generous donations have helped students travel the globe for:
International Learning Opportunities
Cultural Exchange and Language Programs – Programs in Rouen, France and Goslar, Germany, as well as China, India, Japan, Chili and South Africa
Service Trips – Service, learning and cultural experiences in Costa Rica, Laos, Fiji, Cambodia, Morocco and Kenya
Performance Tours – Students have traveled with the orchestra, band and choir to perform at venues throughout Europe and China
The South African Cultural Exchange (SACE) team, an initiative of Shaker Heights City School District’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, traveled to South Africa in March 2024. Learn more about this amazing opportunity and how you can support our Shaker students.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Shaker students traveled to Chile, Costa Rica, Goslar, Japan, South Africa, Vietnam, and France.
Without the scholarship, my trip to Costa Rica would not have been possible. It was an amazing experience to be immersed in a Spanish-speaking country. I was able to practice my Spanish and explore a different environment and culture. I made so many unforgettable memories
$500,000 Goal for Endowment Fund
This campaign marks a significant step towards providing life-changing opportunities for any Shaker Heights City Schools student who wishes to experience international travel.
The initial goal is to raise $500,000 in the next two years, to significantly boost the level of funding the Foundation is able to provide for student travel assistance. This fund will not only facilitate current travel opportunities but also ensure a lasting legacy, allowing future generations of Shaker students to benefit from transformative international experiences.
Why Building an International Travel Fund Matters
Equity and Access: Building the International Travel Endowment allows the Shaker Schools Foundation to extend the benefits of international travel to more Shaker students, fostering a more inclusive and diverse program.
Sustainability: The endowment model ensures a perpetual funding source, guaranteeing that the campaign’s impact lasts for years to come.
Travel opportunities build on the Shaker Heights City School District’s mission to nurture students to be civic-minded, confident, competent communicators, skillful problem solvers and creative thinkers who are knowledgeable of our global and multicultural society.
Shaker Student Travel Savings Fund
The Shaker Schools Foundation is proud to partner with Huntington Bank to help our families plan for the experience of a lifetime by opening a Shaker Student Travel Savings Fund. The time to start saving is NOW! Our partnership with Huntington will allow you to start a student travel savings fund now–with ZERO cost to you to set up. It is completely free. Your savings today will give your student the experience of a lifetime in high school. To set up your savings fund, visit the Huntington Fairmount Circle location. Learn more here.
International travel is life-changing. It gives students real and unique experiences that encourage them to think outside the bounds of their neighborhood, school or classroom. It empowers them to get out of their comfort zone and gain cultural fluency. Having an expanded worldview allows students to be more inclusive and accepting of others that are different from them.