{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Emergence Academy","outOfStateSupporters":39.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1027868,"projectId":9753058,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Because of your kindness, our students now have Uno, Connect 4, hacky sacks, and other fun games to enjoy during indoor recess. These activities bring joy, laughter, and opportunities for teamwork and problem-solving, even when the weather keeps us inside.\r\n\r\nYour donation has made a real difference in creating a positive and engaging environment for our students. The games not only provide entertainment but also help build social skills, cooperation, and resilience. We are truly grateful for your thoughtfulness and commitment to enriching our learning community.","fullyFundedDate":1764418696026,"projectUrl":"project/board-games-for-non-boring-indoor-recess/9753058/","projectTitle":"Board Games for Non-Boring Indoor Recess!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gauthier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1027868_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543953932662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amandagauthier"},{"teacherId":1027868,"projectId":9879745,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in helping us bring Connect 4, Uno, Rubik's Race, and other amazing games to our classroom! Because of your support, our STEM Board Games Club has transformed into a place of excitement, creativity, and collaboration every Friday.\r\n\r\nThese games aren't just fun—they spark critical thinking, strategy, and problem-solving skills while giving students a chance to build friendships and teamwork. Watching them light up as they challenge each other, learn new strategies, and celebrate victories has been incredible.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made our Fridays something students look forward to all week. You've given them opportunities to grow academically and socially in ways that feel joyful and engaging.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your support and for believing in the power of play to inspire learning.","fullyFundedDate":1763593647044,"projectUrl":"project/board-games-for-stem-club/9879745/","projectTitle":"Board Games for STEM Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gauthier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1027868_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543953932662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amandagauthier"},{"teacherId":10171253,"projectId":9602943,"letterContent":"These art supplies have been super helpful for our classroom! In our recent unit, we've been learning about power, protest, and change in US history. We read work by and about Upton Sinclair, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. \r\n\r\nAs we read these challenging primary and secondary texts, we have used an annotation system that helps students at many language levels understand the key components of the text.\r\n\r\nStudents have also used art supplies to make posters that show their learning and help them see it reflected on the walls of our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758820491129,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-creative/9602943/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Creative","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Lerner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171253"},{"teacherId":10036057,"projectId":9641700,"letterContent":"First of all, I want to thank Donors Choose for the incredible materials for my special education students. They really enjoyed working with the hands- on materials. All of the materials have been very important in their learning. I have focused a lot on developing their math skills, and they've improved considerably and are enjoying it. Every new discovery is a new learning. The students use their materials every day in their math lessons. They enjoy playing with each other and learn naturally.\r\n\r\nThanks again for the incredible materials. I really appreciate it.","fullyFundedDate":1757544374425,"projectUrl":"project/the-journey-of-learning/9641700/","projectTitle":"The Journey of Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Silva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10036057_orig.jpg?crop=192,192,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747242127614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10036057"},{"teacherId":10041330,"projectId":9478739,"letterContent":"The Art an Literature project you funded was greatly appreciated by our students here at Emergence Academy. Students were able to connect fine literature pieces with their abilities to portray illustrations of the scenes as they appreciated them. These generated great discussion and enthusiasm among students at a time where they needed to build on English communication skills. Some students were never exposed to expressing their own appreciation of literature through art work. Totally fun and filled with careful details, and some details that were even overlooked in the reading, but a few students were able to identify them.\r\n\r\nWell discussed instructions supported students learning and careful use of the materials. The impact was awesome. Students had ideas and concepts floating through their minds and they just wanted to draw and express these as best possible. Being under skilled in both literature and drawing they were able to illustrate their work and talk about it, while creating their very own master pieces. Some presented evidence from the novel and stories that supported their idea. All were required to write a few sentences to express their concept and were asked by their peers to clarify when necessary. The project generated much discussion and willingness to learn more. We all look forward to the next project.","fullyFundedDate":1755736839089,"projectUrl":"project/art-and-literature/9478739/","projectTitle":"Art and Literature","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10041330"},{"teacherId":1027868,"projectId":9859175,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of shelf-stable food items like rice, macaroni and cheese, and beans during the recent SNAP shutdown. Your kindness and support came at a critical time for our students and their families.\r\n\r\nMany of our learners rely on SNAP benefits to meet their basic nutritional needs, and the disruption left many households facing uncertainty. Your contribution helped fill that gap with dignity and care. The food you provided not only nourished growing bodies—it sent a powerful message that our community stands together in times of need.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, students were able to come to school with full stomachs and focused minds. They felt seen, supported, and safe. We are deeply grateful for your compassion and your belief in the power of education and community.","fullyFundedDate":1761932650706,"projectUrl":"project/shelf-stable-foods-during-unstable-times/9859175/","projectTitle":"Shelf Stable Foods During Unstable Times","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gauthier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1027868_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543953932662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amandagauthier"},{"teacherId":1027868,"projectId":9681020,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of markers for our classroom! Your support means the world to us.\r\n\r\nMy students are 100% Multilingual Language Learners (MLLs), and having access to vibrant, high-quality markers has truly transformed the way they engage with English language learning. With your donation, they've been able to create colorful phonics posters that showcase their understanding of spelling patterns, sound-letter relationships, and grammar rules. These posters aren't just classroom decorations—they're powerful tools that help students take ownership of their learning and proudly display their progress.\r\n\r\nWatching them collaborate, discuss word families, and illustrate examples with excitement and creativity has been a joy. Your contribution has made our classroom more inclusive, expressive, and joyful. Thank you for believing in our learners and helping them find their voice in English.\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1762127962509,"projectUrl":"project/markers-bring-life-to-phonics-learning/9681020/","projectTitle":"Markers Bring Life to Phonics Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gauthier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1027868_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543953932662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amandagauthier"},{"teacherId":9200339,"projectId":9647880,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support through DonorsChoose, our students were introduced to Micro:bits — a powerful hands-on technology that has completely energized our STEM learning. While many people use technology daily at home, Micro:bits give students the chance to go beyond using tech to actually creating with it. From programming lights and sounds to building step counters and simple games, students are learning how to code, troubleshoot, and think like engineers — all while having fun.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students the most is the ability to see their code come to life. Unlike worksheets or digital apps, the Micro:bit lets them immediately test what they've built, make changes, and improve it. That sense of \"I made this!\" has sparked creativity and curiosity in ways traditional lessons just can't. Even students who were hesitant about coding at first became excited when their projects lit up or responded to movement — suddenly, they saw themselves as real makers.\r\n\r\nOne student in particular, who typically struggles to stay engaged in class, has completely lit up since we began using Micro:bits. They've taken on a leadership role during group projects and often stay after class to keep experimenting with their code. For them and many others, this project wasn't just about learning technology — it was about building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in our growing STEM community. Thank you, DonorsChoose, for making this kind of learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1757547155861,"projectUrl":"project/microbit-makers-building-a-stem-commun/9647880/","projectTitle":"Micro:bit Makers: Building a STEM Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Julian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9200339_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692577695025","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9200339"},{"teacherId":9200339,"projectId":9349449,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is more organized, comfortable, and ready for learning. The new water bottles have been especially helpful in encouraging students to stay hydrated throughout the day, which has made a noticeable difference in their energy and focus. Having individual bottles also teaches responsibility and supports healthy habits.\r\n\r\nThe addition of a new bookshelf has completely changed our reading area. Books are now easier for students to access and explore, and many have shown a renewed excitement for independent reading. It's amazing how something as simple as better organization can inspire a deeper love of learning. Our students now see the reading corner as a space they enjoy and take pride in.\r\n\r\nOur new jacket holders have also made a big impact by helping us keep the classroom tidy and reducing distractions. Students know exactly where their belongings go, which helps create a calmer and more structured environment. One student who often misplaced their coat now independently stores it each morning — a small but meaningful sign of growing independence. Thank you for helping us create a space where students can learn and feel cared for every day.","fullyFundedDate":1755718000467,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-classroom-with-tools-for-l/9349449/","projectTitle":"Equipping Our Classroom with Tools for Learning and Care","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Julian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9200339_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692577695025","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9200339"},{"teacherId":9200339,"projectId":9349448,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed by the addition of Codey Rocky, a powerful and engaging tool that's helping our students learn to code with purpose. While many of our donors use technology at home for communication or entertainment, in our classroom, this technology is being used to teach real-world problem solving, logical thinking, and creativity. With Codey Rocky, students aren't just playing with a robot—they're writing code that makes it move, respond to sensors, and complete meaningful challenges that align directly with our curriculum.\r\n\r\nWhat excites our students most is the immediate, visible feedback they get from their code. They love seeing the robot respond to their commands—whether it's navigating a maze, following a line, or reacting to light and sound. For many, it's the first time they've seen coding come to life. One student who had struggled with focus in traditional lessons has truly come alive through this project. He now leads a group in designing challenges for others and proudly explains the logic behind his code. Codey Rocky has given him—and many others—a voice and confidence that extends beyond computer science into all areas of learning.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just buy a robot. It opened doors to future careers, built resilience, and made learning exciting and hands-on. Thank you for investing in our students' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1750106806964,"projectUrl":"project/coding-with-purpose-bringing-codey-rock/9349448/","projectTitle":"Coding with Purpose: Bringing Codey Rocky to Our Aligned Curriculum","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Julian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9200339_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692577695025","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9200339"},{"teacherId":10041330,"projectId":9372520,"letterContent":"Emergence Academy 10th graders truly appreciate your support. \"Mastering Financial Literacy for High School\" was of great impact and still generating many questions around the themes of creating wealth and investing. Students had a one-on-one hands-on reading and analysis of the books received, thoroughly and with purpose. All 30 students impacted were truly and purposely engaged in the topic and their learning. Some were even delineating strategies that will help them and their families build wealth and live freely from debts. Students had the opportunity to familiarize with the necessary vocabulary of the finance world, and draw own ideas of how they can build wealth and support their families and communities.\r\n\r\nHere at Emergence Academy all our students come from other countries, many from limited English speaking and economical deprived. Building awareness of the opportunity that holds upon themselves to create wealth opened their eyes with much gratitude, and eager to learn. \"Mastering Financial Literacy\" is not a project that culminated, but one that lit the fire of learning into the minds and hearts of students.\r\n\r\nSpecial thank you goes out to the \"Bezos Family Foundation\" for making this unique opportunity available for our students her at Emergence Academy.","fullyFundedDate":1749477081770,"projectUrl":"project/mastering-financial-literacy-for-high-sc/9372520/","projectTitle":"Mastering Financial Literacy for High School","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10041330"},{"teacherId":1027868,"projectId":9700092,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of red lab timers for our science classroom! These timers have already made a meaningful impact in both our biology and chemistry labs. With precise timing now at their fingertips, students are able to conduct experiments with greater accuracy and independence—whether they're measuring enzyme reactions in biology or tracking chemical changes in chemistry.\r\n\r\nFor our multilingual learners especially, the visual clarity and simplicity of the timers help reduce confusion and support their understanding of lab procedures. The bright red design also makes them easy to spot and share during group work, encouraging collaboration and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nYour support has brought a new level of professionalism and excitement to our lab experiences. Thank you for helping our students become confident scientists, one experiment at a time!","fullyFundedDate":1758150998359,"projectUrl":"project/lab-timers-scientists-in-the-making/9700092/","projectTitle":"Lab Timers = Scientists in the Making","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gauthier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1027868_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543953932662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amandagauthier"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_130263","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":45,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":77,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":60.7,"schoolId":130263,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Emergence Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Emergence Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/emergence-academy-at-van-sickle/130263"}
Join the 257 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Emergence Academy is
an urban public school
in Springfield, Massachusetts that is part of Springfield Public School District.
It serves 45 students
in grades 6 - 8.
Its teachers have had 439 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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.
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
88%
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.
Emergence Academy 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.
Emergence Academy
$258,913
raised using DonorsChoose
439
projects
funded
61
teachers
funded
257
donors
53
projects
for
basic supplies
101
projects for
technology
65
projects for
books
26
projects
for
art supplies
Emergence Academy has received support from
156 individuals from Massachusetts and
101 individuals out-of-state.