Your Generous Donations
Support Trips for High School Students to Travel the World
In 2024-2025, the Foundation was pleased to support trips to Montreal/Quebec City, Italy, Chile, Germany, and China.
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.
My Italy experience meant a lot to me to go with some of my peers and experience the rich history of a new country. It was riveting to experience singing on an international stage and show a different part of the world what it’s like to be a Shaker Raider. I will forever carry the memories with me after this trip. Thanks to everyone who was involved in helping me get there.
A trip I’ll be looking back on unit the end. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity that Shaker has given me, and I hope many other people will be able to experience it.
…the trip made me realize that no matter where we come from, we can always find ways to relate to one another. I am so happy I am still in contact with many students I met.
SHHS Choir & Orchestra Trip to Italy in 2025
$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.