{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Young Men's Leadership Academy","outOfStateSupporters":22.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9656556,"projectId":9256836,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"YMLA: Where Leadership Meets Lab Safety.\" Because of your generosity, our students at the Young Men's Leadership Academy at Phillis Wheatley now have the proper laboratory safety equipment and resources needed to engage in authentic, hands-on science. Instead of just reading about scientific investigations, students can safely perform experiments, practice proper lab procedures, and experience what real scientists do in a laboratory. Recently, students used their new safety equipment while conducting investigations into physical and chemical changes, carefully measuring substances, observing reactions, and recording their data as professional researchers would. These experiences help our students build confidence while developing critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement in the classroom was immediate. Many of our students had never worn professional lab safety gear before, and putting on goggles and preparing their lab stations made them feel like real scientists. The moment they realized they would be performing experiments safely and independently was incredibly powerful. Students were eager to begin experimenting, asking questions, and collaborating with their classmates to test their ideas.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping us build a strong culture of safety, leadership, and curiosity in our science classrooms. As we move forward, students will continue using these resources for more complex investigations, including chemistry experiments, environmental science projects, and engineering design challenges. These hands-on experiences are inspiring our young scholars to think about future careers in STEM and to see themselves as scientists and innovators. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us create a classroom where leadership truly meets lab safety.","fullyFundedDate":1746782995667,"projectUrl":"project/ymla-where-leadership-meets-lab-safety/9256836/","projectTitle":"YMLA: Where Leadership Meets Lab Safety","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9656556_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739810019323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9656556"},{"teacherId":10223254,"projectId":9649598,"letterContent":"The impact from media club has been huge already! Media Club keeps the whole campus in the loop by letting students take the lead on creating and sharing content. It's hands‑on, creative, and gives students real experience while helping the school stay connected.\r\n\r\nStudent‑Made Commercials\r\n\r\nStudents will be able to make short videos to promote events and programs on social media. These quick commercials help everyone know what's happening around campus and get more students involved.\r\n\r\nInterviews Around Campus\r\n\r\nMembers interview teachers, staff, and students to highlight cool projects, achievements, and stories. It gives people a voice and helps the school community get to know each other better.\r\n\r\nLearning Editing Tools\r\n\r\nStudents learn how to use real editing software to cut videos, add graphics, and polish their work. It's fun, creative, and builds skills they can use in high school, college, or future jobs.\r\n\r\nCovering Events People Don't Always See\r\n\r\nMedia Club doesn't just cover the big events. They shine a light on smaller clubs, academic competitions, and behind‑the‑scenes moments that deserve attention too. It helps every part of YMLA feel seen.\r\n\r\nMedia Club makes communication more fun, more student‑driven, and more connected.","fullyFundedDate":1764698091259,"projectUrl":"project/media-club-needs-you/9649598/","projectTitle":"Media Club Needs You!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reid","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10223254_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756936752814","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10223254"},{"teacherId":9911765,"projectId":9555141,"letterContent":"I wanted to share a quick glimpse into the classroom now that your generously donated books—The Great Gatsby, Frankenstein, The Outsiders, and Pride and Prejudice—have officially landed in the hands of our students.\r\n\r\nLast week, while reading Frankenstein, one of our students who usually stays quiet during English class had a \"lightbulb\" moment. We were discussing the ethics of Victor Frankenstein's creation, and he jumped in to compare the story to modern Artificial Intelligence. He argued that the \"monster\" wasn't born evil, but was shaped by how society treated him. Seeing a student connect a 200-year-old novel to the technology in his pocket is exactly why these books are so vital.\r\n\r\nWhat Your Support Looks Like Today:\r\nStudents are debating the \"American Dream\" through the lens of Jay Gatsby's green light. The Outsiders has sparked deep conversations about social cliques and how we treat those who are different from us. Our classes are decoding the sharp wit of Jane Austen to understand how social status influences the way people communicate.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom library isn't just a shelf of books; it's a toolkit for understanding the world. Thank you for giving our students these new perspectives!","fullyFundedDate":1764729046710,"projectUrl":"project/students-learning-the-classics/9555141/","projectTitle":"Students Learning the Classics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoffman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9911765"},{"teacherId":8677012,"projectId":9897596,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project that provided four drones for our middle school classroom. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to hands-on tools that bring coding, problem-solving, and STEM concepts to life in ways a textbook never could. Your belief in our students has made an immediate and lasting impact.\r\n\r\nThese drones are already transforming how students engage with learning. Through guided coding challenges and flight missions, students are developing computational thinking, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills while exploring real-world applications of technology. For many of them, this is their first experience working with advanced STEM equipment, and the excitement and curiosity it has sparked is truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nYour contribution goes far beyond equipment—it sends a powerful message to my students that their education matters and that people outside their classroom believe in their potential. Experiences like this help build confidence, ignite interest in STEM careers, and open doors that many students may not have realized were possible. Thank you for helping us create opportunities that will shape their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1763569502630,"projectUrl":"project/coding-with-drones/9897596/","projectTitle":"Coding with Drones","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Huff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8677012"},{"teacherId":7612910,"projectId":9235217,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the incredible books you funded for our classroom. Our students were overjoyed when the novels arrived. These texts are already teaching students to analyze character motivations, and they are learning to pull evidence from texts during our literature circles. Your gift has brought so much energy and curiosity to our daily reading time.\r\n\r\nI especially want to tell you about one of our students who has been transformed by a graphic novel (written in Latin) you provided. He has found a new passion for reading and the confidence to share his ideas with the class for the first time. It is a powerful reminder that your donation is more than just books; it is an investment in my students' futures and their belief in themselves. We are all so grateful for your generosity and support.\r\n\r\nSincerely,","fullyFundedDate":1746783045171,"projectUrl":"project/class-novels-for-adolescent-males/9235217/","projectTitle":"Class Novels for Adolescent Males","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Avalos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7612910_orig.jpg?crop=701,701,x47,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743785297623","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7612910"},{"teacherId":9911765,"projectId":9337105,"letterContent":"A major skill introduced by these books is that it helps the students make real world connections. Even though the topic is so far back in the past, they can relate to the main characters. \r\n\r\nIn my classroom, reading looks like a time where the students can get lost in their stories and build foundational reading skills. Reading has a special place and time in the classroom where students can relax and unwind while finding and experience the joy of reading. \r\n\r\nMost of my students are enjoying this book because it helps give them a fresh take on history that they struggle with.","fullyFundedDate":1747407364443,"projectUrl":"project/i-survived-8th-grade/9337105/","projectTitle":"I Survived… 8th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoffman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9911765"},{"teacherId":9911765,"projectId":9087827,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your gift to our classroom. My students sometimes feel that reading isn't fun and has to be stressful. When I find books that they like and connect with, it makes the experience so much better. Reading as a class is something that creates a strong reading community. I also enjoy watching my students come together and bond over the joy of reading.\r\n\r\nIn my classroom, reading looks like peace and joy. I can start the read along for them and they settle down immediately so that they don't miss a single thing. It is one of the best feelings in the world to experience the emotions of reading together. I get to see their excitement, their curiosity, their sadness, and so much more. \r\n\r\nI have students that have never expressed interest in reading that now cannot wait to continue with the book.","fullyFundedDate":1739308962085,"projectUrl":"project/students-booked-for-a-good-time/9087827/","projectTitle":"Students Booked for a Good Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoffman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9911765"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109644","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":297,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.1,"schoolId":109644,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Young Men's Leadership Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Young Men's Leadership Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/san-antonio-independent-school-district/young-men-s-leadership-academy/109644"}