{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Jefferson Academy Secondary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4295125,"projectId":9287059,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in helping us create our library reading haven! The day the new seating and desks arrived was absolutely magical. When the students walked in for the first time, there was an audible gasp, followed by a rush of excited energy. They immediately scattered to test out the rocking chairs and settle into the floor loungers, their faces lit up with pure joy. Our library was instantly transformed from a quiet, formal room into a vibrant, comfortable space that truly buzzes with happy, engaged learners. You haven't just given us furniture; you've given our library a new heart.\r\n\r\nWe are using our new resources every single day, and the impact has been profound. During a recent research project, the portable laptop desks were a complete game-changer. Instead of being confined to tables, students grabbed a desk and a comfy seat, spread out into \"cozy corners,\" and collaborated in small groups. The atmosphere was focused yet relaxed, and the quality of their work reflected their comfort. I had a particularly wonderful moment watching a student who often struggles to focus, gently swaying in a rocker chair, completely engrossed in a book for a solid 30 minutes. He later told me it was the first time he'd ever finished a chapter at school because he \"finally felt relaxed.\"\r\n\r\nYour gift has laid the foundation for so many future learning opportunities. Our new cozy seating areas will become the book club designated meeting spots, where they can comfortably gather to discuss their books, share their insights, and build a community of readers. Your support has fundamentally changed the culture of our library, making reading not just a requirement, but a truly joyful experience. Thank you for investing in our students' comfort and their love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1746442836806,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-corners-transforming-our-library-i/9287059/","projectTitle":"Cozy Corners: Transforming our Library into a Reading Haven","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4295125_orig.png?crop=832,832,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743963732924","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4295125"},{"teacherId":4295125,"projectId":9238205,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for believing in the power of inclusive literature. Our library has been utterly transformed. The beautiful new shelving you provided now proudly displays a stunning collection of books that reflect the true diversity of our world. What was once a standard library has become a vibrant, welcoming hub where students feel seen and valued. The day we unpacked these books, the sense of excitement was palpable; students were immediately drawn to the covers and stories that, for many, represented the first time they've seen their own heritage celebrated on our shelves.\r\n\r\nYou asked what skills these new texts introduce, and it goes far beyond basic literacy. These books are springboards for deep, critical conversations. For example, when we read a novel by an Indigenous author, we don't just discuss the plot; we analyze themes of colonialism, identity, and resilience, which students then connect to both historical and current events. Reading in our library is now a highly interactive and empathetic practice. Teachers use these texts in Socratic seminars, where students lead challenging discussions, learning to articulate complex ideas and listen respectfully to differing viewpoints. They are learning to analyze not just the story itself, but the societal structures and voices that shape it.\r\n\r\nThe most powerful impact, however, has been on the students themselves. One student, after reading a novel with a protagonist who shared her biracial identity, told me with tears in her eyes that she \"finally felt whole\" seeing her experience written down. For other students, these books have been powerful windows. You haven't just donated books and shelves; you have provided mirrors that validate our students' lives and windows that foster profound empathy. Thank you for helping us amplify these essential voices and build a library worthy of our future leaders.","fullyFundedDate":1744196695293,"projectUrl":"project/amplifying-unheard-voices-building-an-i/9238205/","projectTitle":"Amplifying Unheard Voices: Building an Inclusive Library for Tomorrow's Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4295125_orig.png?crop=832,832,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743963732924","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4295125"},{"teacherId":4295125,"projectId":9232754,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible generosity. The day the boxes of new books arrived was filled with an electric excitement that has since transformed our library and classrooms. Students literally crowded around as we unpacked titles they had only seen online or heard about from friends. Your support has turned our quiet library shelves into a vibrant, buzzing hub of discovery and conversation, and for that, we are immensely grateful.\r\n\r\nThese new books are so much more than just stories; they are powerful teaching tools. With these contemporary and diverse texts, we are able to move beyond basic comprehension and delve into much deeper skills. For example, when we read a new non-fiction title on a current event, students learn to analyze an author's argument, identify bias, and corroborate information – essential skills for digital literacy. With award-winning fiction, we host literature circles where students lead discussions on complex themes like identity, justice, and resilience, learning to articulate their own viewpoints while respecting those of their peers. Reading is no longer a silent, solitary activity; it's a dynamic, collaborative experience where students passionately debate plot twists and connect characters' struggles to their own lives.\r\n\r\nThe impact on individual students has been the most rewarding part of this project. I have watched previously reluctant readers light up after finding a graphic novel that captures their imagination, finishing it in a matter of days and asking, \"What's next?\" One student, in particular, sought me out to tell me that for the first time, she saw a character in a book who looked and spoke like her family. The validation and connection she felt were palpable. You haven't just given our students new books; you have provided them with mirrors to see themselves and windows to understand others, fostering a more empathetic and engaged school community. Thank you for investing in their futures and for helping to ignite a lifelong passion for reading.","fullyFundedDate":1744196695090,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-inspiring-futures-new-bo/9232754/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Inspiring Futures: New Books for Our Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4295125_orig.png?crop=832,832,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743963732924","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4295125"},{"teacherId":4295125,"projectId":9287146,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity and for investing in our students who need it most. The arrival of these high-interest, low-readability books has been a watershed moment for our library, particularly for our students in reading intervention classes. For the first time, I see these students walking into the library with confidence, heading straight for a collection of books they know are for them. The sight of them eagerly browsing, comparing stories, and actually checking out books with smiles on their faces has been an absolute joy to witness.\r\n\r\nMany of you asked what lessons these specific books introduce, and it's about so much more than just reading words on a page. For students who struggle, these texts are a game-changer for building foundational skills. Because the books are accessible, students can finally build reading fluency and stamina without the constant frustration of getting stuck. This frees up their mental energy to focus on crucial comprehension skills: tracking plot, understanding character motivation, and making inferences. In our library and in their intervention classes, reading now looks like success. It looks like students finishing a chapter—and then a whole book—and having the confidence to discuss it, because for the first time, they truly understood the story from beginning to end.\r\n\r\nThe most profound impact has been on individual students' self-esteem. I have to share the story of a high schooler who has spent years avoiding reading. He reluctantly picked up one of the new hi-lo novels about a teenage spy, and the next day, he tracked me down in the library to tell me he had stayed up late to finish it. With a huge smile, he asked, \"Are there more in the series?\" Witnessing that switch from dread to genuine excitement is the very definition of why this project matters. You haven't just given our students books; you have given them a key. You've unlocked their confidence, unleashed their potential, and helped them rewrite their own stories as capable, proud readers. Thank you for believing in them.","fullyFundedDate":1746442836912,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-stories-unleashing-potential/9287146/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Stories, Unleashing Potential: Bridging the Gap for Struggling Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4295125_orig.png?crop=832,832,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743963732924","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4295125"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_70629","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":696,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":33,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":73,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"38.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":81.8,"schoolId":70629,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Jefferson Academy Secondary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Jefferson Academy Secondary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/jefferson-county-school-district-r-1/jefferson-academy-secondary-school/70629"}