Sunland STEAM Academy in Phoenix, Arizona on DonorsChoose

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In their free-time before school, students love browsing the shelves looking for their next read. Watching them confidently browse, select texts, and write down titles is so powerful! The shelves didn't just organize books; they created access.\r\n\r\nNext, students will launch a student-led \"Reading Spotlight\" project where they curate mini-displays from our shelves around themes such as resilience, identity, and justice. They will present book talks and create recommendation cards for their peers. Because of you, they now have a space that supports authentic reading experiences and student leadership.\r\n\r\nYour donation did more than provide furniture. You helped build a reading culture. You gave our classroom structure, pride, and opportunity. Thank you for investing in my students and for believing in the power of books.","fullyFundedDate":1764723405179,"projectUrl":"project/shelves-of-hope-building-a-better-futur/9702803/","projectTitle":"Shelves of Hope: Building a Better Future Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morales-Rhymes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4908829_orig.jpg?crop=969,969,x0,y187&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758327370776","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4908829"},{"teacherId":8392275,"projectId":7153401,"letterContent":"I'm excited to share the incredible impact your generous contribution has had on my students through our stop motion animation project. Thanks to your support, we've been able to integrate technology in a way that has truly enhanced their learning experience.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, this project is their first hands-on experience with stop motion animation, and it's been a game changer. The technology has allowed them to combine creativity with technical skills, learning how to plan, film, and edit their own animations. These skills not only foster creativity but also help with problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy—skills they'll carry with them far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part of this project for the students has been the process of seeing their own ideas come to life on screen. Many of them were amazed at how a simple idea could transform into a short film through just a few photos and some editing. The use of technology has made abstract concepts more tangible for them, and watching their animations unfold in real time has given them a new sense of accomplishment and pride.\r\n\r\nSome students have really taken to the technology. For example, one student who has struggled with traditional learning methods has excelled in this hands-on project. They've become an unofficial \"tech expert\" in our class, helping classmates with filming techniques and editing software. It's been inspiring to watch them grow in confidence, all thanks to this new medium.\r\n\r\nThank you again for providing the tools to bring this project to life. Your contribution has not only helped my students learn about animation but has also given them a deeper understanding of how technology can be used to express their creativity and ideas.","fullyFundedDate":1674960010802,"projectUrl":"project/stop-motion-animation/7153401/","projectTitle":"Stop Motion Animation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Paige Sutton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8392275_orig.jpg?crop=1946,1946,x0,y84&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742575770663","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8392275"},{"teacherId":8392275,"projectId":7201495,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to share how your generous contribution has truly impacted my students and our classroom. Thanks to your support, we've been able to dive into a clay project that has sparked creativity and excitement in ways I couldn't have imagined.\r\n\r\nWhen we first received the materials, the students were absolutely thrilled. 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About this school

Sunland STEAM Academy is an urban public school in Phoenix, Arizona that is part of Roosevelt Elementary School District 66. It serves 543 students in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.0:1. Its teachers have had 66 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 8

543 Students

32 Teachers

5401 S 7th Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85041 View local requests

https://www.rsd66.org/o/saca

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Sunland STEAM Academy to request what their students need.

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Sunland STEAM Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Dr. Edmundo De Los Santos

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Sunland STEAM Academy Demographics

84%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

95%

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.

Sunland STEAM Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Mar 17, 2026

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