{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillside Arts & Letters Academy","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7111887,"projectId":10012370,"letterContent":"We had our AP Literature Class of 2026 Tea Party yesterday, and it was nothing short of magical! The students came dressed up for tea time, and they gasped when they walked in the room - they couldn't believe how beautiful it looked! I had many of them two years ago, and they helped me decorate for that year's tea party, so seeing all of the new decorations really wow-ed them!\r\n\r\nThis event serves not only to reinforce their understanding of Victorian era social norms and traditions, but it is also a beautiful moment for us as a class, nearing the end of our time together as they prepare to graduate and head off to college. We get to swap stories, memories, laugh, and truly enjoy one of the most ancient social rituals there is. This year, the students actually surprised ME - they put together a game to be played during the tea party, a slides presentation of all their baby photos and I had to guess who each one was. We laughed so much, while they enjoyed the tea, snacks, and the ambiance. Then they presented me with the \"real surprise\" as the put it - they had put all of those same baby photos onto a physical collage and signed the back with messages, and gave it to me - my \"senior yearbook.\" This group of young people is something special, and I can't convey the depth of my gratitude that you helped me put together the best senior tea party to date. \r\n\r\nThe tea party launches us into our last unit, where they will act out \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" a satire on Victorian era relationships, customs, norms and, I'm sure you've guessed it - tea time! The tea party set the stage, and now they will bring the era to life on their own. At the end, they will vote for each other in different categories and we will host The Oscars, as our last official day of class together, a celebration of their achievements in acting, but also, their high school careers. \r\n\r\nThank you again, truly, for your generosity. The students, and I, will never forget it.","fullyFundedDate":1769192001240,"projectUrl":"project/senior-tea-party-time/10012370/","projectTitle":"Senior Tea Party Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maldonado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7111887_orig.jpg?crop=604,604,x206,y72&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768241061282","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7111887"},{"teacherId":7866093,"projectId":9871023,"letterContent":"We wanted to give you a quick update on the project you so generously supported. Thanks to your contributions, our National Honor Society students have successfully packaged over 100 Hope Kits for men, women, and children in our community who are currently facing hardship. By providing the snacks, toiletries, and essentials that fill these bags, you did more than just supply \"items\"—you gave our students a powerful lesson in empathy and leadership. Watching them transform into a bustling assembly line was inspiring. Students weren't just checking off a service requirement; they were thoughtfully organizing kits for \"a boy my age\" or \"a mom who needs a win,\" realizing exactly how much of an impact a small act of kindness can have. For the people receiving these kits in local shelters/temporary housing across the city, these bags represent dignity and the comfort of knowing their community cares. You weren't just donors to this project; you were silent partners in our efforts. I am so proud of what the young people accomplished, and we couldn't have done it without your belief in us. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1772116109264,"projectUrl":"project/the-season-of-giving-hope-kits/9871023/","projectTitle":"The Season of Giving: Hope Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7866093_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733576507308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7866093"},{"teacherId":1905741,"projectId":10051787,"letterContent":"Donated snacks made a meaningful difference in our classroom by helping students stay focused and engaged during lessons. Many students find it difficult to concentrate when they are hungry, but having snacks available allowed them to maintain their energy and pay closer attention to their work. As a result, students were more prepared to participate, complete assignments, and stay on task throughout the class period. These generous donations helped create a more supportive learning environment where students could focus on learning rather than worrying about hunger.","fullyFundedDate":1772550477925,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-focused-minds/10051787/","projectTitle":"Full Bellies, Focused Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Slavsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1905741_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x240,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1590596892759","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1905741"},{"teacherId":10408210,"projectId":10031810,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have the tools to fully participate in our TACO Tuesday (Take a Class Out) learning experience. With clipboards and whiteboards in hand, students are able to move throughout the building while actively engaging with primary sources, literature, and one another.\r\n\r\nThis has transformed the way my students learn. Instead of remaining seated and passive, they are up, thinking, discussing, and collaborating in real time. I have seen increased engagement, stronger participation, and more meaningful conversations as students rotate through stations and work with different peers.\r\n\r\nThese materials have also supported students who benefit from flexible, hands-on learning, including English language learners and those who may struggle in traditional classroom settings. The ability to write, revise, and share ideas on the spot has helped build both academic confidence and interpersonal skills.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, students look forward to learning. TACO Tuesday has become a highlight of our week, and your support has made it possible to sustain this meaningful, student-centered experience.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a lasting impact on my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769191994674,"projectUrl":"project/taco-tuesday/10031810/","projectTitle":"TACO Tuesday","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Gately","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10408210_orig.jpg?crop=3672,3672,x620,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776778445339","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10408210"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_99362","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":415,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":21,"percentBlack":33,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":4,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":99362,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillside Arts & Letters Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillside Arts & Letters Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/hillside-arts-and-letters-academy/99362"}
Join the 92 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Hillside Arts & Letters Academy is
an urban public school
in Jamaica, New York that is part of New York City Dept Of Ed.
It serves 415 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.0:1.
Its teachers have had 22 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades 9 - 12
415 Students
26 Teachers
16701 Gothic DrContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
96%
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.
Hillside Arts & Letters Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 24, 2026
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.
Hillside Arts & Letters Academy
$16,857
raised using DonorsChoose
22
projects
funded
14
teachers
funded
92
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
1
project for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Hillside Arts & Letters Academy has received support from
69 individuals from New York and
23 individuals out-of-state.
