{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Russell Byers Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":40.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9931783,"projectId":9131842,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support through DonorsChoose. The joy your gift brought to our classroom is something truly special—it lit up our room with smiles, excitement, and a sense of being seen and valued.\r\n\r\nWhen the box arrived, the students could hardly contain their excitement. They eagerly unpacked the books and materials, many of them holding up the titles and saying, \"I've always wanted to read this!\" or \"This looks so cool!\" That moment alone reminded me how powerful it is when children feel that someone—especially someone they've never met—cares about their growth, their future, and their love of learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity did more than provide books. It sent a message to each child that they matter. It showed them that there are people in the world who believe in their potential and are willing to invest in their education. That message is priceless, especially for children who may not always feel that the world is looking out for them.\r\n\r\nGiving a child a book is never just about reading—it's about opening up worlds. It's about discovering new places, ideas, and possibilities. For some of my students, the books you provided are the first they've ever owned or had regular access to. Watching them explore those pages, lose themselves in stories, and come back the next day eager to read more has been incredibly moving. You've helped them take one more step toward becoming not just better readers, but better thinkers, dreamers, and future citizens of the world.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in education. Thank you for giving our classroom the gift of possibility. And most of all, thank you for showing my students that kindness and generosity still exist—and that learning is a journey they don't have to take alone.","fullyFundedDate":1744221923203,"projectUrl":"project/growing-to-love-reading/9131842/","projectTitle":"Growing to Love Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9931783_orig.jpg?crop=3115,3115,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741890980462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9931783"},{"teacherId":8721265,"projectId":8324858,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how your generous support has impacted my students! Thanks to you, we now have a variety of fidgets and sensory tools that have transformed our learning environment and given students invaluable tools for managing their emotions and focus.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the sensory items, their excitement was undeniable. They eagerly explored the new tools, from squishy stress balls to textured tangle fidgets. One student exclaimed, \"This is exactly what I need to calm down!\" Seeing their faces light up was a heartwarming reminder of how important these resources are.\r\n\r\nWe've incorporated these tools into our counseling sessions and social skills groups. Students use them during conversations about emotions, while practicing mindfulness techniques, or simply as a way to channel nervous energy. For example, a student who often struggles with staying focused during group discussions now uses a fidget discreetly and reports feeling \"more in control.\"\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we're teaching students to recognize their own sensory needs and choose tools that work best for them. These resources are also helping us foster discussions about self-awareness and self-regulation, empowering students to take charge of their emotional well-being.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided these essential tools but has also sent a powerful message to my students—that there are people who care deeply about their success. Thank you for making a tangible difference in their lives and for being a part of our journey toward growth and resilience.","fullyFundedDate":1724252388274,"projectUrl":"project/fidget-fun/8324858/","projectTitle":"Fidget Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8721265_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664240584278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ninahunteer"},{"teacherId":8721265,"projectId":8328482,"letterContent":"I am excited to share the amazing impact your support has had on my students. Thanks to your generosity, we now have a vibrant collection of art supplies and art therapy resources that are making a meaningful difference in their lives.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials—paints, sketchpads, clay, and more—their faces lit up with excitement. One student exclaimed, \"I've never seen this many colors before!\" The room buzzed with creativity and curiosity as they began exploring the materials and imagining the possibilities.\r\n\r\nThese resources have become a cornerstone of our counseling sessions. Students use them to express emotions that words cannot capture, find calm through creative focus, and build confidence by creating something uniquely theirs. One student, who often struggles with anxiety, shared how painting helps them \"feel lighter and less worried.\"\r\n\r\nWe've incorporated these supplies into art therapy activities, encouraging students to explore their feelings while building essential coping skills. Moving forward, I plan to introduce collaborative art projects, fostering teamwork and a sense of community among the students.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has given my students a safe and creative outlet for self-expression and emotional growth. These resources are helping them process challenges, discover their strengths, and develop a greater sense of self.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in this project and for making a profound difference in the lives of my students. Your generosity is truly inspiring.","fullyFundedDate":1723665140144,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-through-art-a-project-for-th/8328482/","projectTitle":"Empowering Through Art: A Project for the School Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8721265_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664240584278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ninahunteer"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_70527","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":686,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":94,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.9,"schoolId":70527,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Russell Byers Charter School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Russell Byers Charter School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/philadelphia-city-school-district/russell-byers-charter-school/70527"}

Russell Byers Charter School

Join the 401 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Russell Byers Charter School is an urban public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is part of Philadelphia City School District. It serves 686 students in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.6:1. Its teachers have had 116 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 8

686 Students

35 Teachers

1911 Arch St

Philadelphia, PA 19103 View local requests

http://www.byerschool.org

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

Russell Byers Charter School Teachers on DonorsChoose

See more teachers from Russell Byers Charter School

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Russell Byers Charter School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

96%

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.

Russell Byers Charter 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.

Russell Byers Charter School

$55,910

raised using DonorsChoose

116

projects funded

teachers funded

401

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

Russell Byers Charter School has received support from 240 individuals from Pennsylvania and 161 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Russell Byers Charter School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Russell Byers Charter School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Share & help us grow support

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Russell Byers Charter School Demographics

Russell Byers Charter School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Russell Byers Charter School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.