{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Independence Academy","outOfStateSupporters":55.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5909179,"projectId":8570716,"letterContent":"The new mindfulness tools and life skills resources have been transformative for my students, offering them fresh ways to engage with their emotions and creativity in the art room. We've integrated the meditation breathing stones into our daily warm-ups, where students use them to center themselves before diving into projects. Books like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers have sparked meaningful discussions about personal growth and how creativity can align with life goals. One standout project involved students reflecting on the habits described in the book and creating visual \"habit maps\" as collages or drawings that express their understanding and aspirations.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were overjoyed. Their excitement was palpable as they explored the breathing stones, flipping through the vibrant pages of the books, and brainstorming ways they could use these resources. One fifth-grader remarked, \"This is like a toolbox for my brain!\" That comment alone reassured me that these tools are making a real impact. During a recent session, a student struggling with frustration used the breathing stone to refocus and then completed one of their best art pieces to date—a colorful interpretation of mindfulness through abstract lines and shapes.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these tools will continue to support our ongoing projects. Currently, we're combining mindfulness with art by practicing the meditative \"one line-one breath\" technique. Students are creating individual works that reflect their emotional journey during this exercise, culminating in a collaborative mural representing mindfulness and growth. These resources have not only enhanced our projects but also fostered a classroom culture of self-awareness and mutual support, equipping students with skills that will extend far beyond the art room. Thank you for empowering my students with tools that nurture both their artistic and personal development!","fullyFundedDate":1727463009862,"projectUrl":"project/mindfulness-and-life-skills-in-the-art-r/8570716/","projectTitle":"Mindfulness and Life Skills in the Art Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Henry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5909179_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1537739200472","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5909179"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_75180","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":491,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":32,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":84,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"24.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":45.0,"schoolId":75180,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Independence Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Independence Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/mesa-county-valley-school-district-51/independence-academy/75180"}
Join the 20 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Independence Academy is
an urban public school
in Grand Junction, Colorado that is part of Mesa County Valley School District 51.
It serves 491 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 24.6:1.
Its teachers have had 22 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades K - 8
491 Students
20 Teachers
675 29 RdContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
12%
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.
Independence Academy 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.
Independence Academy
$16,105
raised using DonorsChoose
22
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
20
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
4
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Independence Academy has received support from
9 individuals from Colorado and
11 individuals out-of-state.