{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Southwest Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":51.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":323975,"projectId":9452841,"letterContent":"This week my students have been using their new drumsticks with \"drumming boards\" to practice reading rhythmic musical notation. They have truly enjoyed using drumsticks to demonstrate their ability to read whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and sixteenth notes in a wide variety of rhythmic patterns. The students are progressing well in their ability to read and play rhythmic patterns, so very soon we will move on to the next level!\r\n\r\nIn a few weeks, we will be learning to read melodic notation by identifying notes on the treble clef staff. At that point, students will also begin using the recorders you provided to demonstrate their ability to read and play a simple melody. Students are looking forward to playing melodies on real instruments. \r\n\r\nWe so greatly appreciate your generosity as demonstrated by your willingness to provide drumsticks and recorders for my music classroom. Thank you for supporting music education, and especially for supporting the students in my music classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1752586436064,"projectUrl":"project/today-is-a-great-day-to-make-music/9452841/","projectTitle":"Today Is a Great Day to Make Music!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bame","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp323975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471122932343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anne-bame"},{"teacherId":8488696,"projectId":8474865,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the recent donation of the practice pad stations. These stations have added extra areas for my percussion students to participate on their parts during class, as well as others students to practice their rudiments while not playing a particular piece. Students may also pay along with their classmates to strengthen their skills in addition to doing duet and ensemble work during down time, all while quietly not disturbing others. Thank you for adding these supplies to our classes for this school year","fullyFundedDate":1728938011478,"projectUrl":"project/to-the-beat-of-a-quiet-drum/8474865/","projectTitle":"To the Beat of a \"Quiet\" Drum","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reagan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8488696_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1654184439386","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8488696"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2728","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":833,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":34,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":34,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":48.6,"schoolId":2728,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Southwest Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Southwest Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/gaston-county-school-district/southwest-middle-school/2728"}
Join the 471 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Southwest Middle School is
an urban public school
in Gastonia, North Carolina that is part of Gaston County School District.
It serves 833 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.7:1.
Its teachers have had 110 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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.
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
68%
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.
Southwest Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 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.
Southwest Middle School
$39,920
raised using DonorsChoose
110
projects
funded
38
teachers
funded
471
donors
6
projects
for
basic supplies
12
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Southwest Middle School has received support from
229 individuals from North Carolina and
242 individuals out-of-state.