{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Irene Hernandez Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":45848,"projectId":10523042,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your heartfelt contribution to our flexible seating class options. Students love and benefit from the seating choices in our class. Students can easily move their wobble chair to work in pairs or groups. The wobble cushions provide them with an active seating surface that helps them safely move while they sit. The giant cushion chairs provide a comfortable space to read and work independently. These flexible seating options help students enhance their focus and concentration as well as provide sensory regulation which helps calm and ground my students with ADHD or sensory processing needs. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this classroom donation!","fullyFundedDate":1789613449613,"projectUrl":"project/empower-learning-through-flexible-seatin/10523042/","projectTitle":"Empower Learning Through Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp45848_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533749237214","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/45848"},{"teacherId":8632087,"projectId":10411869,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, my students have access to new resources that make learning more engaging, interactive, and enjoyable! These materials have allowed me to create more hands-on learning opportunities that encourage students to practice important skills, collaborate with their classmates, and build confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were excited and eager to use them! It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and curiosity, especially from students who sometimes struggle to stay motivated or feel confident in the classroom. Having these resources has helped create a more welcoming and engaging learning environment where students can explore, make mistakes, and grow.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue incorporating these materials into our daily lessons, small-group activities, and collaborative projects. My goal is to provide students with meaningful learning experiences that strengthen their understanding while helping them develop independence, creativity, and perseverance.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for investing in my students and their education. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our classroom, and we are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1785243795709,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-math-classroom-that-lasts/10411869/","projectTitle":"Building a Math Classroom That Lasts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8632087_orig.png?crop=848,848,x0,y121&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661126561077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8632087"},{"teacherId":8632087,"projectId":10257171,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a more engaging, organized, and student-centered learning environment. Your support has allowed my students to participate in fast-paced, collaborative review games that make practicing math concepts exciting and memorable.\r\n\r\nThe portable document scanner has quickly become one of our most valuable classroom tools. It allows me to instantly scan and project student work for the entire class to analyze and discuss. Instead of only reviewing one solution, students can compare different strategies, identify mistakes, explain their reasoning, and learn from one another in real time. This has encouraged more meaningful mathematical discussions and has helped students become more confident in sharing their thinking.\r\n\r\nThe organizational materials have also had a tremendous impact. The stacking drawers keep our review game materials, task cards, and classroom resources neatly organized and easily accessible, while the laminating sheets have allowed us to create durable game cards and instructional materials that can be reused throughout the year. Because everything is organized and protected, we spend less time preparing materials and more time learning.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most exciting part for my students is knowing that our classroom review activities feel more like interactive games than traditional worksheets. Students eagerly volunteer to participate, cheer one another on, and remain actively engaged from beginning to end. Even some of my quieter students, who are often hesitant to participate during whole-class discussions, have become much more willing to contribute when reviewing classmates' work or participating in our classroom games.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done far more than provide classroom supplies—it has created opportunities for increased collaboration, deeper mathematical thinking, and a classroom culture where students are excited to learn. Thank you for investing in my students and helping make math a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1777937388067,"projectUrl":"project/leveling-up-our-learning-with-gamificati/10257171/","projectTitle":"Leveling Up Our Learning With Gamification and Classroom Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8632087_orig.png?crop=848,848,x0,y121&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661126561077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8632087"},{"teacherId":8914780,"projectId":9694904,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us meet our goal. We have had so many students enjoy chess and ask about using them more often. I find that they have helped students problem solve and think strategically in a way that they have not been accustomed to. It also has given them a break from screens which has also been noted with their behavior. \r\n\r\nStudents were so grateful that people care enough about their well being that they are willing to donate to them. I am also grateful for all that you do to support children in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758824673860,"projectUrl":"project/building-strategic-minds-with-chess-enri/9694904/","projectTitle":"Building Strategic Minds With Chess Enrichment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8914780_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685454756993","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8914780"},{"teacherId":8859084,"projectId":10135071,"letterContent":"Just last week, during our core lesson, a student who typically struggles to stay focused was completely locked in. They were using the new materials to problem-solve, and when the solution clicked, they literally jumped out of their seat with excitement, shouting, \"I actually get it now!\" It was a beautiful reminder of how the right tools can unlock a student's confidence. When the boxes arrived and we opened them together as a class, the room was buzzing with pure excitement. Many students gasped and asked, \"Are these really for us?\" Students will be working in small collaborative groups to design and present their own final projects using materials.","fullyFundedDate":1773768995362,"projectUrl":"project/revving-up-stem-building-futures-throug/10135071/","projectTitle":"Revving Up STEM: Building Futures Through RC Engineering!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Guzman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8859084"},{"teacherId":4427966,"projectId":10114963,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that made our classroom project possible. Your support makes a direct and immediate difference in my students' education. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to hydroponics and fresh vegatables. These resources allow them to engage in hands-on learning and stay excited about coming to school every day.It is incredibly inspiring for our class to see members of our community invest in their future. On behalf of all my students, thank you again for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1773768995578,"projectUrl":"project/hydroponically-amazing/10114963/","projectTitle":"Hydroponically Amazing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4427966_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492885417788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laleman"},{"teacherId":4427966,"projectId":7510803,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that made our classroom project possible. Your support makes a direct and immediate difference in my students' education. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to printer, specific items, math manipulatives, flexible seating and books for our reading corner. These resources allow them to engage in hands-on learning and stay excited about coming to school every day.It is incredibly inspiring for our class to see members of our community invest in their future. On behalf of all my students, thank you again for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1692808229630,"projectUrl":"project/endless-opportunities/7510803/","projectTitle":"Endless Opportunities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4427966_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492885417788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laleman"},{"teacherId":4427966,"projectId":6577851,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that made our classroom project possible. Your support makes a direct and immediate difference in my students' education. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to printer, specific items, math manipulatives, flexible seating and books for our reading corner. These resources allow them to engage in hands-on learning and stay excited about coming to school every day.It is incredibly inspiring for our class to see members of our community invest in their future. On behalf of all my students, thank you again for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1666027286929,"projectUrl":"project/a-colorful-start/6577851/","projectTitle":"A colorful start","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4427966_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492885417788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laleman"},{"teacherId":4427966,"projectId":6577631,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that made our classroom project possible. Your support makes a direct and immediate difference in my students' education. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to printer, specific items, math manipulatives, flexible seating and books for our reading corner. These resources allow them to engage in hands-on learning and stay excited about coming to school every day.It is incredibly inspiring for our class to see members of our community invest in their future. On behalf of all my students, thank you again for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1660951453519,"projectUrl":"project/unlimited-access/6577631/","projectTitle":"Unlimited Access","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4427966_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492885417788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laleman"},{"teacherId":4427966,"projectId":5788995,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that made our classroom project possible. Your support makes a direct and immediate difference in my students' education. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to printer, specific items, math manipulatives, flexible seating and books for our reading corner. These resources allow them to engage in hands-on learning and stay excited about coming to school every day.It is incredibly inspiring for our class to see members of our community invest in their future. On behalf of all my students, thank you again for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1637277719609,"projectUrl":"project/ink-to-the-rescue/5788995/","projectTitle":"Ink To the Rescue","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4427966_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492885417788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laleman"},{"teacherId":3491033,"projectId":10103102,"letterContent":"Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for fully funding our \"STEM Challenge Materials\" project! Words cannot express how thrilled and grateful I was to see this project brought to life. Because of your generosity, my students will have access to hands-on learning tools that make science, technology, engineering, and math come alive in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThese new materials will give my students the opportunity to collaborate, think critically, and solve real-world problems through fun, interactive engineering challenges. Instead of just reading about concepts in a textbook or on a screen, they will be designing, building, testing, and refining their own creations. Watching young minds brainstorm solutions, test their hypotheses, and learn from their mistakes is one of the best parts of teaching, and your support makes those \"aha!\" moments possible every single day.\r\n\r\nYour kindness does far more than just supply physical resources—it shows my students that a community of people believes in them and their potential. Thank you for investing in our classroom and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers. We are so excited to dive into these challenges and share our progress with you!","fullyFundedDate":1773768995381,"projectUrl":"project/stem-challenge-materials/10103102/","projectTitle":"STEM Challenge Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Calkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3491033_orig.jpg?crop=419,419,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697385669712","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrscalkinsstem"},{"teacherId":8914780,"projectId":9693919,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing hygiene products and snacks for my students. Your donation has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom. For many of my students, having access to essential hygiene products removes barriers that can interfere with their ability to focus, participate, and feel comfortable at school. Because of you, students are able to show up with confidence and dignity, without worrying about needs that should never stand in the way of learning.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have also had a powerful impact on our daily routines. Many of my students come to school hungry or without enough to sustain them throughout the day. Having snacks readily available has helped improve focus, energy, and overall engagement. I've noticed students are more attentive, more willing to participate, and better able to collaborate with their peers. Small moments—like being able to offer a quick snack or quietly provide a student with what they need—have helped create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment.\r\n\r\nYour kindness goes far beyond the items themselves. You have shown my students that there are people who care about them, believe in them, and want them to succeed. That message is incredibly powerful. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students feel supported, respected, and ready to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1764957075986,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-student-wellness-with-essenti/9693919/","projectTitle":"Supporting Student Wellness With Essential Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8914780_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685454756993","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8914780"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_97534","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":719,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.0,"schoolId":97534,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Irene Hernandez Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Irene Hernandez Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/irene-hernandez-middle-school/97534"}
Join the 605 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Irene Hernandez Middle School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 719 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.4:1.
Its teachers have had 429 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 6 - 8
719 Students
50 Teachers
3510 W 55th StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
98%
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.
Irene Hernandez Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Nov 14, 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.
Irene Hernandez Middle School
$161,664
raised using DonorsChoose
429
projects
funded
47
teachers
funded
605
donors
59
projects
for
basic supplies
67
projects for
technology
108
projects for
books
28
projects
for
art supplies
Irene Hernandez Middle School has received support from
351 individuals from Illinois and
254 individuals out-of-state.