Derry Area Middle School in Derry, Pennsylvania on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Derry Area Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":25.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5194954,"projectId":9394958,"letterContent":"You can't imagine the anticipation of our students as they waited to be sorted into their RCA House during our sorting ceremony. The atmosphere in our auditorium was electric! Derry Area Middle School utilizes the Ron Clark Academy's House system in grades 7 and 8. In grade 7, students are sorted into one of four houses--Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi, and Reveur. Each house becomes its own community--fostering character development, leadership, teamwork, and school spirit.\r\n\r\nYour generous donation of spirit items helped our 8th grade students create the perfect atmosphere to welcome the 7th grade students into their house. Each 7th grade student picked a random balloon when called to the stage. Ten students at a time held their balloon over their head and with a countdown of three--two--one, teachers popped the balloons and confetti rained down! The confetti color indicated the student's house and they were welcomed with cheers, chants, and applause!\r\n\r\nEighth graders also had the opportunity to use the spirit items as they participated in our district's annual Homecoming parade--a new tradition for our middle school students! Students celebrated Homecoming with the motto \"Four Houses, One Family\" as they paraded along the route during the festivities. These activities, which have fostered school spirit and community, would not have been possible without your generous support. You are so appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1755549397668,"projectUrl":"project/building-community-and-school-spirit/9394958/","projectTitle":"Building Community and School Spirit","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5194954_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519314816394","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5194954"},{"teacherId":2556848,"projectId":8984761,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity towards our program. These new cymbals and other materials will greatly enhance the experience for all of our band students. With the new cymbals, we can move the old set we have into a practice space for students to practice drum set. The new cymbals sound wonderful and we are excited to use them moving forward.\r\nThe students were delighted when we opened the box to see a nice shiny new set of cymbals to use. We took turns playing drum set in class that day so all the students had a chance to use the new cymbals. They made their debut on our recent concert and we are thrilled with how they sound!\r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1735986901768,"projectUrl":"project/crash-cymbals-for-band/8984761/","projectTitle":"Crash! Cymbals for Band","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Roble","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2556848_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1479818375244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-roble"},{"teacherId":2556848,"projectId":8930102,"letterContent":"My students and I are so thankful for your support of this project and our Band program as a whole. These mutes have made a significant impact on our performing ensemble. The timing of the project couldn't have been more perfect as they arrived the day of our concert in December. Seeing brand new mutes for them to use was a boost that pushed us towards an even more successful concert.\r\nNow having a full compliment of mutes for the brass section, we are able to fully play the compositions and arrangements we are learning with the sounds the composers intended using all the mutes we now have. Thank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1733204460182,"projectUrl":"project/spare-change-for-a-change-in-timbre/8930102/","projectTitle":"Spare Change for a Change in Timbre!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Roble","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2556848_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1479818375244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-roble"},{"teacherId":8544962,"projectId":8918720,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Thanks to you, my students now have access to Wipebooks—large whiteboards that have completely transformed the way we collaborate and explore creative ideas in math.\r\n\r\nThe moment my students saw the Wipebooks, their excitement was undeniable. They couldn't wait to get their hands on the markers and start solving problems in a whole new way. Instead of working individually at their desks, they are now up on their feet, brainstorming, testing strategies, and learning from each other in real time.\r\n\r\nSince incorporating the Wipebooks into our daily lessons, I've seen a noticeable increase in engagement and confidence. One of the most exciting moments was during a recent problem-solving activity where students worked in small groups to tackle challenging math puzzles. With the ability to easily erase and refine their thinking, they embraced mistakes as part of the learning process rather than something to fear. Seeing them discuss different approaches, revise their work, and celebrate their successes has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to use the Wipebooks for even more collaborative learning, including interactive math stations and peer-led problem-solving sessions. Your generosity has given my students a tool that fosters creativity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a real difference in our classroom. Your kindness and support mean the world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1731028866959,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-students-with-wipebooks-for/8918720/","projectTitle":"Empowering Students with Wipebooks for Learning in a Thinking Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gordon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8544962_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658768341476","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8544962"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_91174","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":440,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":90,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.6,"schoolId":91174,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Derry Area Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Derry Area Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/derry-area-school-district/derry-area-middle-school/91174"}

About this school

Derry Area Middle School is a suburban public school in Derry, Pennsylvania that is part of Derry Area School District. It serves 440 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.3:1. Its teachers have had 31 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

440 Students

33 Teachers

994 N Chestnut Street Ext

Derry, PA 15627 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Derry Area Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Dunn

Mrs. Gordon

Mr. Roble

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Derry Area Middle School Demographics

81%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Derry Area Middle School 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.