{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ronald McNair Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9010448,"projectId":9865272,"letterContent":"I want to start out by saying a huge THANK YOU for funding my project! The headphones have made a huge impact in my classroom! I have a handful of students who have individualized learning plans where they have accommodations that require them to be able to listen to texts we are reading in class. These headphones have allowed them to access texts in the classroom and work towards their goals! \r\n\r\nAnother valuable feature of these headphones is that they have a microphone. My students have plans where instead of writing by hand they are able to speak into the speaker and what they say comes up on the screen. For students who are unable to write, these headphones have provided them a way to complete their writing assignments. \r\n\r\nThese headphones have made such a positive impact on my students learning experience and it is all thanks to YOU. THANK YOU!!","fullyFundedDate":1763391313750,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-headphones/9865272/","projectTitle":"Middle School Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vermeulen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9010448_orig.jpg?crop=1067,1067,x0,y92&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685977340202","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9010448"},{"teacherId":8072486,"projectId":9938733,"letterContent":"My students are so very happy with their new Tonie's Box! I have set up a center within the library for the Tonie's Box and the characters. It's by far the most popular center in the classroom and is highly requested daily. This has made it easier for students to engage with literacy out side of books in the library. The characters are relatable and most of their favorites. \r\n\r\nWhen I first set up the center, all of the students wanted to know what it was and what it did. We did a whole group activity with the Paw Patrol story and the students were fully engaged for 30 minutes!!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for providing my students with an experience they wouldn't have had other wise. Your generosity will never be forgotten and will carry on for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1764695735664,"projectUrl":"project/make-literacy-fun-and-engaging/9938733/","projectTitle":"Make Literacy Fun and Engaging!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stonewall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8072486_orig.jpg?crop=1193,1194,x0,y505&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1639587192835","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8072486"},{"teacherId":8072486,"projectId":9945677,"letterContent":"Teachers Pay Teachers is a website where teachers create resources for other teachers to purchace for their classroom. Teachers Pay Teachers has resources in literacy, math , sciences and much more. These resources are avilable for grades Pre-K -12th grade. There are free recources available, however most of the items are for purchase. In preschool, we have themed units and I find supplemental materials on Teachers Pay Teachers that directly aligns to the curriculm. \r\n\r\nReceiving the Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards have been most helpful. I have been able to create engaging lessons that align with our curriculum using materials I purchased. I will be able to use these materials for many years to come. Your genorsity is the reason my students have been enjoying engaging lessons!","fullyFundedDate":1765981102402,"projectUrl":"project/dont-reinvent-the-wheel/9945677/","projectTitle":"Don't Reinvent the Wheel!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stonewall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8072486_orig.jpg?crop=1193,1194,x0,y505&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1639587192835","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8072486"},{"teacherId":8843333,"projectId":9963456,"letterContent":"I would like to say Thank You for your generosity. As you can see from the photos, the students are enjoying the dancing ribbons, the tambourines, and the microphones. They are going to be great accessories to accompany their costumes for our Black History Program. \r\n \r\nAs the weather has changed and is getting colder, the students face constantly needs to be cleaned and wiped. The baby wipes are great to have on hand. \r\n\r\nIn closing, we want to say Thanks again for all your support to our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766020991629,"projectUrl":"project/dancing-into-the-lunar-new-year-2026/9963456/","projectTitle":"Dancing Into the Lunar New Year, 2026","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeFeLL","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8843333_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707333856219","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8843333"},{"teacherId":8843333,"projectId":9940684,"letterContent":"I would like to say Thank You for all your generous donations. As you can see the students really are enjoying the pop up blocks, the kenetic sand, and the building blocks. I enjoy watching them buildings things, and then express what they built. The sand is always a hit on our \"Fun Fridays.\"\r\n\r\nThe gloves and lysol sprays, are great to have on hand. With the running noses, cleaning, and food handling that goes on daily inside a prek classroom, they are constantly in demand.\r\n\r\nIn closing, we would like to say Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1765982248582,"projectUrl":"project/little-elves-on-the-shelf/9940684/","projectTitle":"Little Elves on the Shelf","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeFeLL","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8843333_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707333856219","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8843333"},{"teacherId":4802414,"projectId":9436142,"letterContent":"Here is a polished, ready-to-send donor update letter you can customize:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nWhen our new materials arrived, my students could hardly wait to dive in. The very first day, I watched them gather excitedly around the resources, pointing out details, asking questions, and imagining all the ways we could use them. One moment that stood out was during our first hands-on activity: students who are usually hesitant were suddenly fully engaged, collaborating, and eagerly explaining their thinking to each other. It was clear that these materials opened a door for them—not just to learn, but to feel confident doing it.\r\n\r\nSince then, the resources have become a daily part of our classroom. We've used them most recently in a project where students explored ___ (insert subject/topic—e.g., researching ecosystems, building simple machines, practicing reading strategies, creating art techniques). The new materials allowed students to experiment, revise, and problem-solve in ways we simply couldn't before. One group proudly shared their work with the whole class, saying, \"We never could've made this without the new stuff!\" Their excitement has been contagious.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, my students are building on this momentum. Our next step is to expand the project by ___ (insert next step—e.g., conducting further research, creating final presentations, designing models, publishing their writing). Because of your support, they now have the tools they need to push their thinking further and take real ownership of their learning. Thank you for giving them the opportunity to learn, explore, and dream a little bigger every day.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nIf you'd like, I can tailor this to your subject, grade level, and specific materials—just tell me what your project provided!","fullyFundedDate":1755874627912,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-level-up-our-5th-grade-learning/9436142/","projectTitle":"Help us Level up our 5th Grade Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McField","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4802414_orig.jpg?crop=392,392,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596654885677","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4802414"},{"teacherId":9007727,"projectId":9594940,"letterContent":"We want to send a heartfelt THANK YOU from our entire second-grade class! Because of your incredible generosity, we have successfully received our requested supplies—the Kleenex, cleaning materials, and, most excitingly, our new Science Kit. Your contribution has already made a profound impact on both our well-being and our learning environment. The Kleenex and cleaning materials are keeping our classroom healthy and happy, fostering independence as students take responsibility for a clean shared space. In a simple but meaningful moment, students who previously avoided tissues are now confidently reaching for them, and they are enthusiastically pitching in during clean-up with the new wipes and spray.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of the materials was met with pure excitement! When the science kit box was unsealed, a chorus of \"Oohs\" and \"Ahs\" filled the room, with one student asking, \"Are we going to be real scientists now?\" They immediately recognized these items as tools for real exploration. We put them to use right away during our unit on the states of matter, where my second graders used the kit to create ice-bag-salt-shake ice cream. This hands-on experiment allowed them to observe the freezing point and how liquids turn into solids, turning an abstract concept into an unforgettable, educational moment of discovery.\r\n\r\nWe are now excited to build on this momentum, thanks to your support! Our next big project involves using the science kit to explore simple machines. Students will be working in small groups to design, build, and test different types of levers and ramps, challenging them to think like engineers and solve problems. Your donation is a true investment, giving my second graders the chance to stay healthy, learn responsibility, and engage in the kind of exciting, hands-on science that will inspire them for years to come. Thank you once again for your incredible support.","fullyFundedDate":1755723258426,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-students-for-success-in-2025-2/9594940/","projectTitle":"Equipping Students for Success in 2025-2026","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moorer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9007727_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y171&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682002368733","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9007727"},{"teacherId":9932627,"projectId":9627087,"letterContent":"This year is off to a great start and that is all because of your donations towards our classroom. Thank you very much for the cleaning supplies. We truly appreciate your generous donations. \r\nYour gift of generous has help to keep the classroom clean and ready for the students to learn each day. For some students there at home life does not allow them to do their work in a clean environment. Which is why your donations is so much more important than you know it. Being able to give students a chance to not have to worry about doing their work in a space, where they have to question if the space is clean, is something I will be forever thankful for. I hope you keep donating what you can. Thank you very much again.","fullyFundedDate":1755808388094,"projectUrl":"project/cleaning-supplies-for-students/9627087/","projectTitle":"Cleaning supplies for students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9932627_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x320,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740667133223","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9932627"},{"teacherId":6787699,"projectId":9085019,"letterContent":"As our second week of school is coming to a close, our classroom is beyond grateful for the materials that we've received from your generous donations. These materials have made a world of a difference this school year and has already been put to great use and it is only week 2!\r\n\r\nOur students have been enjoying \"tapping into touch\" with our sensory activity table, sand & water fine motor set, kinetic sand and foam paint. We've also been keeping our material clean with our disinfectant wipes and our hands clean with our baby wipes. As the temperature has dropped, we've been making use of our Kleenex as well. \r\n\r\nWe are looking forward to the continued use of all of our materials as the school year moves forward. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1747493581393,"projectUrl":"project/tapping-into-touch/9085019/","projectTitle":"Tapping into Touch!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pope","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6787699_orig.jpg?crop=710,710,x0,y21&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691795335703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6787699"},{"teacherId":9920445,"projectId":9353957,"letterContent":"On behalf of all you donated, thank you for your generous donation to my project (Snack Time). Your support of my project has made a big difference to my classroom and it is truly vital to letting me know that someone out there cares about our students in this neighborhood. \r\n\r\nBecause of your gift, I am now able to provide snacks to the students who come from families who can't afford to buy lunch, let a lone snacks for their child/children. For example, your contribution will help my students not to look at other students and want to take there snacks because now they have their own.\r\n\r\nYour support is making a real difference in [this Austin community. We are so grateful for your partnership in our work to create a brighter future.","fullyFundedDate":1755806154254,"projectUrl":"project/snack-time/9353957/","projectTitle":"Snack Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Whitfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9920445_orig.jpg?crop=811,811,x0,y83&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740499824462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sotoris-whitfield"},{"teacherId":8566387,"projectId":9493208,"letterContent":"We're incredibly grateful for your generous donation of volleyball equipment to the McNair Elementary girls' volleyball team. Since receiving the new gear, our athletes have not only had reliable, high-quality resources on the court but also a tangible boost in confidence and teamwork. A standout moment came last week during a spike drill: with fresh knee pads, ankle supports, and well-matched practice gear, the players moved faster, communicated more clearly, and finished the drill with a burst of excitement and high-fives. This moment encapsulated what your support means—material resources translating into real, measurable growth in skill, discipline, and school pride.\r\n\r\nWhen the equipment first arrived, the team gathered around the bags with curious energy and smiles that lit up the gym. The players eagerly unpacked each item, trying on uniforms, adjusting knee pads for the perfect fit, and testing a few serves with the new volleyballs. The excitement was contagious; several newer players commented that the gear made them feel like they belonged to a larger, capable program, which encouraged them to push through early nerves and focus on fundamentals.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the team will channel this momentum into a focused training block aligned with our current season goals: refining serve receive, improving ball handling under pressure, and integrating more advanced defensive formations. We plan a mid-season clinic with a guest coach and a student-led video analysis project where players review game footage to identify patterns and adjust our strategies. We'd be happy to share progress updates and photos from these activities as the season unfolds. Thank you again for investing in our athletes; your generosity is shaping both on-court performance and the students' confidence, leadership, and love of the game.","fullyFundedDate":1754250524690,"projectUrl":"project/strengthening-our-community-girls-voll/9493208/","projectTitle":"Strengthening Our Community: Girls' Volleyball Equipment Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8566387_orig.jpg?crop=623,623,x4,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1770662684646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8566387"},{"teacherId":10016361,"projectId":9353865,"letterContent":"I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of photography equipment. Your support has already made a meaningful impact on our students and the learning environment, and its benefits will extend far into the future.\r\n\r\nThis summer, students used the donated gear to explore photography hands-on—experimenting with composition, lighting, exposure, and storytelling. They documented activities, experimented with different techniques, and collaborated on mini-projects that required planning, patience, and careful teamwork. The experience not only sharpened technical skills but also fostered confidence, creativity, and a sense of pride in their work.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the equipment will continue to serve as a vital resource for future classes and clubs. Students will be able to:\r\n\r\n-Engage in project-based learning across visual arts, science, history, and media literacy.\r\n-Develop a portfolio of work that can be shared in exhibitions, school publications, and community events.\r\n-Participate in after-school photography clubs and capstone projects that emphasize observation, critical thinking, and care for gear.\r\n-Benefit from ongoing opportunities to learn from peers and mentors, producing tangible outcomes that demonstrate growth over time.\r\n\r\nWe are committed to maintaining and integrating this resource thoughtfully, with clear usage guidelines and a rotating schedule to ensure all students have access. Your generosity has already sparked curiosity and opportunity, and we are grateful for your partnership in fostering a vibrant, student-centered learning environment.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and belief in our students. We look forward to sharing their progress and celebrating their successes with you.","fullyFundedDate":1748547787175,"projectUrl":"project/photography-equipment-to-empower-student/9353865/","projectTitle":"Photography Equipment to Empower Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10016361_orig.jpg?crop=3230,3230,x0,y86&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755264545034","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10016361"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5415","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":333,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":74,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.7,"schoolId":5415,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ronald McNair Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ronald McNair Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/mcnair-academic-center/5415"}
Join the 910 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ronald McNair Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 333 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.8:1.
Its teachers have had 308 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Ronald McNair Elementary School
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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.
Ronald McNair Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 12, 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.
Ronald McNair Elementary School
$201,303
raised using DonorsChoose
308
projects
funded
77
teachers
funded
910
donors
34
projects
for
basic supplies
45
projects for
technology
30
projects for
books
15
projects
for
art supplies
Ronald McNair Elementary School has received support from
552 individuals from Illinois and
358 individuals out-of-state.