Hercules Middle School in Hercules, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hercules Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":18.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7156286,"projectId":4938751,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my students during one of the most challenging periods we experienced as educators and learners. When I created this project during the COVID-19 school closures, my immediate goal was to maintain the connection, energy, and quality of instruction that my students were accustomed to receiving in the classroom. The camera lens, microphone equipment, and other technology you provided allowed me to create clearer, more engaging instructional videos that students could watch, pause, review, and return to whenever they needed additional support.\r\n\r\nWhat began as a solution to distance learning ultimately had an impact far beyond it. The equipment allowed me to experiment with video-based and flipped instruction, supplement lessons with teacher-created digital content, and provide students with another way to access material outside the traditional classroom lecture. I saw firsthand that technology works best not as a replacement for good teaching, but as another tool for reaching students who learn in different ways.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources continued to be useful after we returned to the classroom. The experience changed how I think about combining traditional instruction with technology, multimedia, and student-centered learning. Today, I continue looking for ways to make history relevant and accessible through primary sources, discussion, technology, and interactive learning. The equipment you funded helped me begin that journey during an extraordinarily difficult moment and has continued to influence my teaching years later.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students at a time when they especially needed that support. Your contribution reached approximately 180 students during the original project and helped me develop resources and teaching practices that have benefited many more students in the years since. I remain deeply grateful for your investment in my classroom and in public education.","fullyFundedDate":1591894062370,"projectUrl":"project/distance-learning-with-quality-and-relev/4938751/","projectTitle":"Distance Learning with Quality and Relevance!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. I. Kira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7156286_orig.jpg?crop=488,488,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1584051476315","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7156286"},{"teacherId":4040159,"projectId":10217407,"letterContent":"The resources made possible through your generous donations brought so much joy to my exceptional students. During the year-end celebration for my Scientist of the Month awardees, I surprised them with small rewards, including candies, fidget pens, and crackers. I also presented each student with a certificate that they could proudly share with their parents.\r\n\r\nI truly believe in recognizing students' hard work because meaningful rewards motivate them to keep striving for excellence and remind them that their dedication and achievements are seen and appreciated. Thank you for making these special moments possible through your generosity and support.","fullyFundedDate":1778014429536,"projectUrl":"project/kudos-to-kiddos/10217407/","projectTitle":"Kudos to Kiddos!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Domingo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4040159"},{"teacherId":481483,"projectId":9508962,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for your generous sponsorship of the Cricut Maker. Your support has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our classroom, and we are truly grateful for your investment in our students' learning and creativity.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Cricut Maker has transformed how students express their ideas and approach project design. With this tool, students are able to bring their concepts to life—creating precise visuals, models, and customized materials that enhance both the quality and originality of their work. It has empowered them to move beyond traditional methods and explore innovative ways to communicate their ideas.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, the Cricut has strengthened collaboration in our classroom. Students work together to plan, design, and refine their projects, learning to communicate their ideas clearly, listen to one another, and problem-solve as a team. These experiences have fostered creativity, confidence, and essential real-world skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided our students with opportunities to explore their creativity in meaningful ways and to take pride in their work. Thank you for believing in our students and for supporting hands-on, engaging learning experiences that inspire them to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1763565366791,"projectUrl":"project/stem-gets-crafty-cricut-to-empower-inno/9508962/","projectTitle":"STEM Gets Crafty, Cricut to Empower Innovation and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gatchalian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp481483_orig.jpg?crop=729,729,x123,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615316236683","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/481483"},{"teacherId":4040159,"projectId":9692389,"letterContent":"I greatly appreciate the donation that you provided to give my 8th grade students the resources to explore and learn. \r\n\r\nI used the donations to buy owl pellets which I use for my evolution lab. My students pretended to be paleontologist who dig fossils and organize them to predict the organism that the owl ate. They really had a great time doing this. \r\n\r\nAside from the owl pellet, they also built projects using DC motors. They apply what they learned about forces, motion, electricity and magnets. Their engineering skill to be creative and solve problems were developed in this activity. \r\n\r\nThank you for allowing my students to enjoy while learning. This will surely make a lasting impact in their interest of learning Science.","fullyFundedDate":1757559946451,"projectUrl":"project/explosive-reactions-creative-creations/9692389/","projectTitle":"Explosive Reactions & Creative Creations: STEM in Action!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Domingo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4040159"},{"teacherId":3981677,"projectId":9598716,"letterContent":"Your generous donations towards this project has really elevated our seating in the library. Students love having more variety to choose from and they love enjoying this new seating area. \r\n\r\nIn addition to our new cafe tables and chairs, we were able to also purchase some much needed storage for our library makerspace, so that students who have long-term projects have somewhere safe to keep their works-in-progress without worrying they'll get misplaced or mixed up with other projects.\r\n\r\nWe were also able to choose some extra tabletop display sign holders that we use for book displays to elevate the presentation of information about the book display theme. Thanks to your support of this project we were able to finally realize a whole new seating area for our students and we're so thrilled to see them enjoy the new tables and chairs. Thank you again for continuing to support our students and giving me the opportunity to make our library the best place on campus!","fullyFundedDate":1756574556678,"projectUrl":"project/elevated-experience-cafe-seating-for-the/9598716/","projectTitle":"Elevated Experience-Cafe Seating for the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barron","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3981677_orig.jpg?crop=710,710,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1634843414255","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbooknerd18"},{"teacherId":3250568,"projectId":9063042,"letterContent":"Thank you again and many times over for your contribution. Communication is key to maintaining a safe environment for our children and all community members. To promote that community enrichment through the use of parent volunteers and after-school activities, we need to have a means of communication between those parents and staff while they're out in the yard, etc. These radios provided exactly that.\r\n\r\nParents and staff are easily able to communicate concerns and questions and check-ins over the radios or walkie-talkies, saving everyone time and maintaining an anxiety-free experience for our parents! That's all possible because of your generosity and help.","fullyFundedDate":1742938022377,"projectUrl":"project/secure-communication/9063042/","projectTitle":"Secure Communication","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Owens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3250568_orig.jpg?crop=384,384,x560,y224&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704817297145","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/herculesmobility"},{"teacherId":4040159,"projectId":9300361,"letterContent":"My students used the resources to better understand the lesson. They created catapults to explore how mass impacts force. The owl pellets were used to demonstrate how paleontologists collect and organize fossil remains, and how these remains serve as evidence of evolution.\r\n\r\nUsing these resources ignites their curiosity, encourages creativity, and helps me deliver the lessons with greater clarity and engagement.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my 170 students, we would like to sincerely thank you for donating the resources we needed.","fullyFundedDate":1754067920002,"projectUrl":"project/steamy-stem-projects/9300361/","projectTitle":"Steamy STEM Projects!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Domingo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4040159"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4193","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":610,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":39,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":11,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":81.5,"schoolId":4193,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hercules Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hercules Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/west-contra-costa-unified-school-district/hercules-middle-high-school/4193"}

About this school

Hercules Middle School is a suburban public school in Hercules, California that is part of West Contra Costa Unified School District. It serves 610 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.1:1. Its teachers have had 386 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 6 - 8

610 Students

38 Teachers

1900 Refugio Valley Rd

Hercules, CA 94547 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Hercules Middle School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Hercules Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

See more teachers from Hercules Middle School

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Hercules Middle School Demographics

68%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

79%

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.

Hercules Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Aug 19, 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.