{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Stephen Decatur Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":33.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":999887,"projectId":9038340,"letterContent":"We had a wonderful experience Lego printmaking in the art room. Students really enjoyed getting new materials and trying out a new method of art-making. This project made our Art 2 printmaking unit even better by adding new materials and new creative problem solving to our class. \r\n\r\nThe brayers, ink, legos, and lego plates were a great addition to the art room. The trays too, as they provided a wonderful way for students to work on their projects without having to put all their small pieces away each day when the class was over. \r\n\r\nWe had so much fun, and I can't wait to continue this unit with more classes in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1746494418368,"projectUrl":"project/lego-printmaking-in-the-middle-school-ar/9038340/","projectTitle":"Lego Printmaking in the Middle School Art Room","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lanker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp999887_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1456781756514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lanker"},{"teacherId":7547094,"projectId":5189730,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when we were all back together and able to use these! Over the years, they have been used many, many times! We have recorded student videos in several different classes and have worked on a pilot for a school newscast. My most recent classroom project required students to use the green screen to put themselves into the career they had chosen to research. Resources like this enable students to visualize their future and acquire valuable technical skills.\r\n\r\nWe anticipate that these resources will continue to be used well into the future.","fullyFundedDate":1609342242788,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-for-green-screen-dreams/5189730/","projectTitle":"Lighting For Green Screen Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bird","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7547094"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29871","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":473,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":47,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":66.1,"schoolId":29871,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Stephen Decatur Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Stephen Decatur Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/decatur-public-schools-61/stephen-decatur-middle-school/29871"}
Join the 180 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Stephen Decatur Middle School is
an urban public school
in Decatur, Illinois that is part of Decatur Public Schools 61.
It serves 473 students
in grades 7 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.5:1.
Its teachers have had 31 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Stephen Decatur Middle School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
51%
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.
Stephen Decatur Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 1, 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.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
$14,695
raised using DonorsChoose
31
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
180
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
1
project for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Stephen Decatur Middle School has received support from
119 individuals from Illinois and
61 individuals out-of-state.