Graham Middle School in Graham, North Carolina on DonorsChoose

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Having disinfecting wipes, paper towels, sprays, and organizers available every day has created a consistent routine: students clean their desks, prepare their materials, and reset the room after each class. This may sound simple, but for multilingual learners, predictable routines reduce anxiety and increase engagement. When they feel safe, clean, and confident in the space around them, they participate more and take ownership of their environment. Several students have started volunteering to help tidy the classroom before and after school, which has turned into a small leadership role they take pride in.\r\n\r\nThe basic supplies have directly improved instruction. Many students arrive with limited or no materials. In the past, this meant lost time, frustration, or students trying to share supplies in ways that disrupted the lesson. With this project, every student has access to what they need the moment we start: notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, highlighters, and organizational tools. As soon as the bins and caddies were set up, the tone of the classroom shifted. One sixth grader told me, \"It looks like a real class now,\" and that moment captured exactly why this matters. When students have the tools they need, they see themselves as capable learners. It reinforces that they belong here, and that their learning is worth investing in.\r\n\r\nThe furniture has had the biggest immediate impact on student behavior and collaboration. Previously, seating options were mismatched and limited. Some desks were wobbly, uncomfortable, or too small. Now, students have flexible, comfortable seating that allows them to work in groups, pairs, or independently with ease. The room layout is cleaner and more functional, which has improved transitions and small-group instruction. Students reacted with genuine excitement the first day they walked in and saw the new setup. For learners who often feel unstated pressure to \"catch up,\" having a physical space designed for them sends a powerful message: this room was created with you in mind.\r\n\r\nWe have already started using the new setup to launch more structured lessons, collaborative activities, reading rotations, and writing stations. The improved organization makes it easier to move between tasks without losing instructional time, and students are more willing to attempt rigorous work when the environment feels supportive. Several students who used to shut down during independent activities are now participating because they have stable seating, clean workspaces, and the tools they need to express their ideas.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just provide items. It accelerated the vision for this classroom. My students now learn in a space that communicates safety, dignity, and high expectations. 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About this school

Graham Middle School is a suburban public school in Graham, North Carolina that is part of Alamance-Burlington School System. It serves 552 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.3:1. Its teachers have had 136 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

552 Students

45 Teachers

311 E Pine St

Graham, NC 27253 View local requests

http://grm.abss.k12.nc.us/

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

Graham Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Graham Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

81%

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.

Graham 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.