Ten Queens schools participating in School Cents program at Queens Center with $15K prize pool

Ten schools in Queens were chosen to participate this year, competing for a shared prize pool of up to $15,000 based on the points they accumulate. 

For every purchase made at Queens Center — including back-to-school shopping, dining, visiting a salon or buying a holiday gift — shoppers earn points for their designated school after uploading their receipts through the new School Cents app. 

The more receipts shoppers upload, the more points their school can earn. Bonus points opportunities will also be available throughout the program year. 

Prizes range from $500 to $4,000 per school, with funds supporting classroom technology, curriculum supplies, student resources and more. Prize checks will be presented in April 2027. 

The following schools are participating in the 2026-2027 program year: 

• Forte Preparatory Academy 
• P.S. 127 Aerospace Science Magnet School 
• P.S. 139 Rego Park 
• P.S. 196Q The Grand Central Parkway School 
• P.S. 206Q The Horace Harding School 
• P.S. 306Q New York City Academy for Discovery 
• P.S. 398Q The Héctor Figueroa School 
• P.S. 051 Queens 
• P.S. 66 Q 
• The Mary Louis Academy Middle School 

Shoppers can download the School Cents app — available on the Apple Store and Google Play — and select their preferred participating school. 

From there, they can shop at Queens Center, save receipts and upload them through the app to start earning points.

“At Queens Center, we’ve always believed that a great shopping center is more than a place to shop — it’s a place where community comes together,” said Steve DeClara, general manager at Queens Center. “School Cents is our way of making sure that every visit here has a lasting impact on the kids and families who call Queens home. We’re proud to support the chosen schools and can’t wait to see how this community rallies around them all year long.” 

Queens Center is part of the Macerich portfolio — a fully integrated, self-managed, self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) — of retail centers in major markets. 

While previously executed on a limited scale at select Macerich centers, this year’s School Cents program will be available at 27 Macerich shopping centers nationwide. 

With School Cents and other educational fundraising initiatives, Macerich properties will distribute up to $450,000 to local schools and community children’s organizations in the communities it serves.

For full program details, to access the app and to learn more about the participating schools, visit ShopQueensCenter.com/SchoolCents.