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Support Solar by making a donation to help our students, educators, and community thrive.

General Fund
3% Cover the Fee

Making Every Gift Count

Educator Enrichment - Student Enrichment - Library Books - Classroom | STEAM Supplies - Peace Pantry

  • Educator Enrichment

    Investing in Educators is investing in the Future.

    Empowered educators create empowered students. When teachers grow professionally—through training, collaboration, and innovation—they bring new energy, strategies, and understanding into the classroom.

    How We Empower Educators

    Conferences, Professional development, Diversity training 

  • Student Enrichment

    Inspiring growth through meaningful student experiences.

    Creating meaningful experiences transcending the standard curriculum to inspire curiosity, deepen learning, and develop the whole child.

    Where Engagement Meets Opportunity

    Field trips, House system, Digital programs, Technology applications, REMIND, PikMyKid, Reading, writing, and STARR materials, PE equipment, NJHS Induction, Girl Scouts, Ambassador jackets, Dual language programs and reading, Orchestra, Modern Band, Debate

  • Library Books

    Fueling Readers, One Book at a Time

    Building libraries to provide students access to a diverse, high-quality collection of books that support reading at every grade levels.

    Filling Shelves, Fueling Minds

    2800 Library books, On-grade classroom reading materials, Shelving, Library support 

  • Classroom | STEAM Supplies

    Tools to Ignite Innovation

    Providing STEAM and classroom supplies to ensure every student has the tools they need to learn, create, and thrive. Access to hands-on materials supports deeper engagement, sparks curiosity, and brings lessons to life. By equipping classrooms with essential resources, we remove barriers to learning and empower both students and teachers to reach their full potential.

    From Curiosity to Creation: STEAM in Action

    Robots, Lego robotics, Power tools, Consumables and materials, Science and physics supplies, Out Teach teacher planning and support, Garden, Outdoor classroom, Sensory chair bands, Fine arts supplies, Calculators

  • Peace Pantry

    Nourishing the Solar Community

    Every student and family deserves consistent access to nutritious food. Hunger creates barriers to learning, health, and well-being. By providing essential groceries and healthy options, the Peace Pantry helps ensure students are nourished, focused, and ready to succeed—both in the classroom and beyond. It's not just about food; it's about dignity, equity, and supporting the whole child.

    Feeding Success from the Inside Out

    Essential food staples, Fresh foods, Meat and dairy, Coat drive, Uniform readiness, Holiday gift card drive

Championing Our Educators Every Step of the Way

  • “Friends of Solar Prep makes teacher goals a reality. Because of your support, our Debaters are developing the life skills to LIVE & LEAD with CONFIDENCE and PURPOSE!”

    Rochelle Hailey, Debate Teacher

  • “I take pride in building relationships with our young men and making them feel that they matter! I believe that all of our gentlemen have the ability to learn at exceptional rates and most importantly to believe in themselves no matter their background. As a mother of 4 boys, I advocate for all our young men as if they were my own.”

    Saraid Driskell, 6th Grade and Debate Teacher

  • “I am grateful to be a Solar Trailblazer! Thanks to Friends of Solar Prep, I get to introduce our scholars to a variety of tools such as 3D Printers, Vinyl Cutters, Robots, and Power Tools! The workplace is changing every day, but thanks to your support, I am confident that my students will leave my room with the skills and confidence to SHINE!”

    Bethany Pustejovksy, Career & Technical Education

  • "I love Solar Boys because it’s a place where we raise up and teach young boys how to be leaders of today and tomorrow. It is a privilege to get to play a role and witness each scholar’s abilities and talents grow and thrive at our school!"

    Kevin Okoyomo, 6th Grade Math & Social Studies

  • "Solar Prep for Girls is a school growing our scholars to be curious learners while inspiring teachers to consistently pursue knowledge and innovation. I am incredibly grateful to FOSP for sponsoring me to present at national conferences. With their support, I can truly be a Trailblazer in supporting teachers and administrators in providing best practices for scholars with disabilities in an inclusive setting. "

    Kindra Akridge, Inclusion Teacher

  • "Thanks to Friends of Solar Prep, the boys art program is thriving, we focus on developing artistic technical skills while working on a growth mindset towards school, art, and life! "

    David Torres, Art Education K-8

  • "Friends of Solar Prep is an organization that supports the magic that makes our school so spectacular. They help provide teachers and scholars with the opportunity to grow and thrive through experiences and a trailblazing learning environment. "

    Claudia Capetillo, 2nd Grade

  • "I absolutely love what Solar Boys has done for me. I am growing as a person and I have the abiiity to affect each and every young man that walks through my classroom door. "

    Tanishia Horton, English Language Arts & Reading, 7-8th Grade

  • "The experience of teaching at a school like Solar is one that can never be imitated. Staff and students come together to create an environment filled with love, growth, and achievement. I am so thankful to Friends of Solar Prep for all that they do to help our Solar community strive for excellence both in and beyond the classroom!"

    Marisa Swanson, 7th/8th Grade Reading Honors

  • "I love our Solar Makerspace. Our boys have a space to imagine, create, build and put their ideas into reality. Thanks to Friends of Solar for funding those ideas and stocking our classroom with all the materials needed to turn our boys into architects, engineers, problem solvers and allow their imagination to have no limits. "

    Natalia Davis, K-8th Makerspace and Programming Teacher

 FAQs

 About

  • Friends of Solar Prep (FOSP) is a parent and community led nonprofit fueling success at Dallas ISD’s Solar Prep schools. We fundraise across five key areas—Educator Enrichment, Student Enrichment, Library Books, Classroom & STEAM Supplies, and the Peace Pantry—to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

  • STEAM and SEL—core to the Solar Prep model—cost an additional $250+ to $500 per student each year beyond what Dallas ISD provides. Friends of Solar Prep (FOSP) bridges that gap, raising funds that directly support our teachers and scholars with the resources needed to reach their full potential.

    Importantly, in line with Solar Prep’s inclusive values and 50/50 socioeconomic model, school leadership believes the responsibility to fund these essential programs should not fall solely on parents. FOSP ensures that all students benefit—regardless of financial background.

  • The PTA, Solar League, Dad’s Club and other groups do an incredible job building community and strengthening school culture. Friends of Solar Prep (FOSP) complements their work by funding the educational resources our scholars need—at the direction of the school principals.

 Funding

  • Campus principals determine how funds are allocated each academic year, based on the most pressing needs. Funding requests typically fall into three main categories: Student Enrichment (enhanced curriculum, field trips, etc.), Educator Development (conferences, training, etc.), and Classroom Supplies (learning materials, tools, and resources).

    You can view the current campus needs, as identified by school principals, at www.friendsofsolarprep.org.

  • Quarterly updates are shared with each campus principal, who may pass them along to interested staff or families. We also provide updates and announcements through campus newsletters, social media, and our website to keep our community informed.

  • Each board member, along with the Executive Director, is responsible for identifying new funding opportunities and maintaining relationships with potential donors. Our funding comes from a mix of public and private foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors.

    Board members are expected to actively participate in fundraising, make key introductions, and engage in community events to help elevate Solar Prep’s presence in the broader community.

  • As of December 2024, we have raised over $2.5 million. Our fundraising efforts began with the Girls campus at its founding in 2015 and expanded to support the Boys campus starting in late 2019.

  • Absolutely—every dollar supporting our scholars matters! Parent organizations are encouraged to coordinate fundraising plans directly with each campus principal.

  • FOSP cannot accept funding requests directly from parent groups or board members. In line with Solar Prep leadership’s strategic vision, parent groups are encouraged to discuss any funding needs with their campus principal.

    We also welcome and encourage anyone to share great ideas for school resources and programs with the School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) committee, the school’s advisory committee, and/or the principal.

  • Yes, you may specify “boys school” or “girls school” in your donation notes on the Donation page.

  • Dallas ISD policy prohibits foundations, parent organizations, and outside funders from providing financial support for staff salaries or teaching positions. This ensures that these critical roles are funded and managed through district resources.

Board and Governance

  • Since its inception, FOSP has been governed by a set of bylaws that are amended as needed. Each board member volunteers their time to fundraise, advocate for the schools within the community, and steward the foundation’s resources in alignment with the principals’ strategic vision.

  • The board is made up of a diverse group of parents, industry partners, and community members who bring fundraising expertise and a passion for education. Equitable representation from both Girls and Boys school parents is important, along with the understanding that FOSP operates as an independent foundation—not as a parent organization for either school. Beginning in March of each year, a nomination process is open to interested parents and community members.

    We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested or have any questions!

  • We’re always seeking dedicated individuals to join our active volunteer board—people who roll up their sleeves, make an impact, and help drive our mission forward. If you’re passionate about education and ready to contribute your time and talents, please let us know through our Contact page. We’d love to hear from you!

Your Impact

    1. We’re always seeking individual and corporate donors to help us provide the essential resources our campuses need to reach new heights. If your company offers grant opportunities, we’d be grateful for your support!

    2. Champion Solar Prep in the community by advocating for our leaders, teachers, and scholars.

    3. Please consider giving to Friends of Solar Prep (FOSP) if you are able. We rely on the generosity of our donors, parents, and community to make a real difference. All donations are tax-deductible.