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Tents have been set up outside East Side Community High School on 12th Street in the East Village.

Students, parents and teachers are hoping publicity will lead to votes in the Kohl's Cares national competition, which is shelling out $500,000 to the top 20 schools with the most votes on Facebook.

"We do great with the resources we have, but obviously with budget cuts and even before budget cuts, our goal is always to give our students, public school students, an education that's equal to what people would get at a private school or a suburban school in a wealthier district,” said Principal Mark Federman.

The principal camped out alone for three nights, but now has plenty of company.

"I want them to have a gym. I want them to have state-of-the-art technology. I want them to be able to travel,” said ESC High School teacher Leona Gross. “I want them to be able to do everything that everyone else gets to do."

"Mark is a real good principal; he supports us a lot, so we have to support him at times like this,” said student Adren Dixon.

The deadline for the competition is next Friday, September 3rd, and the principal, his staff, students and parents have vowed to camp out until their school wins.

"I'm sure they can do miracles with that kind of money,” said ESCHS parent Jesse Peterson. “If we have done so much with so little for so long, this money could take us to a whole other level."

"I think that Mr. Federman does a great job as it is with our school, but we just need a little more,” said Nikel Dixon, another ESCHS parent.

If you want to vote for the school, and you can up to five times, visit the school's website at eschs.org.