Orchard Mesa Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado on DonorsChoose

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This project has allowed us to fund/purchase sports equipment for the students to use during lunch recess to keep them not only engaged in sport, but to give them an opportunity to exemplify teamwork and sportsmanship among those they might not always play alongside.\r\n\r\nThis equipment has been so amazing for our students, and I have seen them not only demonstrate integrity when we are not looking in returning the equipment, but they have a sense of ownership with treating the equipment with respect, informing adults if it is defective, and contributing to our school community in a positive way.","fullyFundedDate":1748201971222,"projectUrl":"project/sports-equipment-for-lunch-recess/9378184/","projectTitle":"Sports Equipment for Lunch Recess","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carroll","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9230989_orig.jpg?crop=2701,2701,x1100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748282275571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9230989"},{"teacherId":9230989,"projectId":9389521,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for all of those who donated and to the Tony the Tiger mission to provide sports equipment to some of our most impacted students! This project has allowed us to fund/purchase sports equipment for the students to use during lunch recess to keep them not only engaged in sport, but to give them an opportunity to exemplify teamwork and sportsmanship among those they might not always play alongside.\r\n\r\nThis equipment has been so amazing for our students, and I have seen them not only demonstrate integrity when we are not looking in returning the equipment, but they have a sense of ownership with treating the equipment with respect, informing adults if it is defective, and contributing to our school community in a positive way.","fullyFundedDate":1749585358494,"projectUrl":"project/sports-equipment-for-recess/9389521/","projectTitle":"Sports Equipment for Recess!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carroll","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9230989_orig.jpg?crop=2701,2701,x1100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748282275571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9230989"},{"teacherId":1619544,"projectId":8871162,"letterContent":"I wanted to express my sincere gratitude. My students now have access to all the videos embedded in our curriculum, and they are able to use reading extensions on exams without any worry of standing out—thanks to the privacy provided by headphones.\r\n\r\nThe headphones have made a huge difference. Students can now view instructional videos at their own pace, and for some of my multilingual learners, they can even watch content in their home language, making the material far more accessible.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the microphone has removed language barriers for students who struggle with writing. They're now able to verbally express their understanding of science concepts without the frustration of limited language skills getting in the way.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping create a more inclusive and empowering learning environment for all my students.","fullyFundedDate":1733162930684,"projectUrl":"project/break-the-barriers-for-all-students-read/8871162/","projectTitle":"Break the Barriers for All Students-Read and Speak Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bavor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1619544_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728574297715","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1619544"},{"teacherId":9236756,"projectId":8609030,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my students with your donation. I was able to purchase 3 sets of noise canceling headphones. These are great for students that need them in order to focus. I usually have a waitlist for students wanting to use them!\r\n\r\nI also purchased chargers for my Chromebooks which is essential for their use. Many chargers get lost when students take them home😕\r\n\r\nFinally, I was able to purchase art supplies for our national history day projects. Students created amazing presentations and I had several that earned a spot to the State competition.","fullyFundedDate":1733162930718,"projectUrl":"project/limit-distractions-and-get-charged/8609030/","projectTitle":"Limit Distractions and Get Charged","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sleigh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9236756"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_42873","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":560,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":72,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":90.0,"schoolId":42873,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Orchard Mesa Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Orchard Mesa Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/mesa-county-valley-school-district-51/orchard-mesa-middle-school/42873"}

About this school

Orchard Mesa Middle School is an urban public school in Grand Junction, Colorado that is part of Mesa County Valley School District 51. It serves 560 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.0:1. Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

560 Students

33 Teachers

2736 Unaweep Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81503 View local requests

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

Orchard Mesa Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Orchard Mesa Middle School Demographics

66%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

22%

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.

Orchard Mesa 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.