{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Central Middle School of Science","outOfStateSupporters":34.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5793733,"projectId":9061017,"letterContent":"The headphone have increased engagement of the students and the math program. They have also allowed us to start teaching how to use speech to text when we are writing. \r\nOur students do not have the resources to get these on their own. You have helped to enrich their educational experience. They are eager to learn each day. They are able to work at a pace that gives them time to master the skills being taught. They are able to utilize the built in games that test the skills without bothering the class, or having 25-30 different computer voices thundering in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1740928653199,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-comfort-while-working-onl/9061017/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Comfort While Working Online","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Santagata","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5793733_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1538368607224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5793733"},{"teacherId":8696619,"projectId":9102975,"letterContent":"Impact of the Project\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a hands-on learning environment where students are developing practical life skills while having fun. The popcorn maker, snack supplies, and cooking tools are now a regular part of our lessons, and they've helped students build independence, teamwork, and confidence.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the Resources\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights so far has been our Popcorn Fridays. Each week, students rotate through jobs such as measuring kernels, operating the popcorn machine (with supervision), seasoning snacks, and distributing them to classmates. This project has become much more than snack time—it's an opportunity to practice math (measuring, counting, and dividing portions), reading (following recipes), and social skills (taking turns and sharing).\r\n\r\nWe also launched a mini \"classroom café\" project, where students prepare popcorn and simple snacks, then role-play serving \"customers.\" This ties directly into lessons on money handling, communication, and customer service—essential skills for their future.\r\n\r\nStudent Reactions\r\n\r\nWhen the popcorn cooking supplies first arrived, the excitement was contagious! Students were wide-eyed, smiling, and eager to try everything. Several students who are usually shy raised their hands immediately, volunteering to help. One student even said, \"I've never made popcorn before—now I can show my family how!\" That sense of pride and ownership has carried into every activity since.\r\n\r\nNext Steps\r\n\r\nWe're now planning to expand the project into a snack business simulation. Students will learn how to create a simple menu, set prices, and manage \"sales\" within the classroom. This next step will allow them to practice budgeting, customer interaction, and problem-solving in real-world scenarios.\r\n\r\nBy continuing this work, our students aren't just making snacks—they are building life skills that will help them thrive at home, in the community, and eventually in the workplace.","fullyFundedDate":1746787074660,"projectUrl":"project/life-skills-popcorn-snacks-cooking-pr/9102975/","projectTitle":"Life Skills Popcorn, Snacks & Cooking Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8696619_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704497373149","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8696619"},{"teacherId":8696619,"projectId":9103086,"letterContent":"Impact of the Life Skills Classroom Refrigerator Project\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom refrigerator has become an essential part of building independence and life skills for my students. It may seem like a simple appliance, but in our classroom, it has opened the door to countless opportunities for practical learning, responsibility, and real-world preparation.\r\n\r\nHow we're using the refrigerator:\r\nStudents are now able to store ingredients for our cooking lessons, keep snacks fresh, and practice organizing food items by type and expiration date. For example, during a recent cooking activity, students planned and prepared a healthy snack—yogurt parfaits. They used the refrigerator to keep yogurt and fruit cold, then followed step-by-step directions to assemble their own parfaits. This small moment turned into a big lesson on planning ahead, food safety, and independence.\r\n\r\nStudent reactions:\r\nWhen the refrigerator first arrived, students were so excited—they opened the door again and again, marveling at the space inside. \r\n\r\nNext steps:\r\nWe are now working on a meal prep and storage project where students will prepare simple meals and snacks, store them properly, and then return later to reheat or serve them. This process teaches them not just how to make food, but also how to safely store leftovers, read labels, and manage a shared space responsibly. These are vital skills that will help them be more independent at home.","fullyFundedDate":1740781168358,"projectUrl":"project/chilling-for-independence-a-life-skills/9103086/","projectTitle":"Chilling for Independence: A Life Skills Classroom Refrigerator Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8696619_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704497373149","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8696619"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32728","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":376,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":15,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.2,"schoolId":32728,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Central Middle School of Science on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Central Middle School of Science","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alaska/anchorage-school-district/central-middle-school-of-science/32728"}
Join the 89 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Central Middle School of Science is
an urban public school
in Anchorage, Alaska that is part of Anchorage School District.
It serves 376 students
in grades 7 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.5:1.
Its teachers have had 28 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
50%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Central Middle School of Science Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Central Middle School of Science
$26,331
raised using DonorsChoose
28
projects
funded
17
teachers
funded
89
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
1
project for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Central Middle School of Science has received support from
58 individuals from Alaska and
31 individuals out-of-state.