Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola, Florida on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ferry Pass Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":32.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5590589,"projectId":9571051,"letterContent":"Thank you for your package for my students. The impact of small items for my students to use is so powerful. \r\n\r\nEncourages risk-taking - The impermanent nature of dry-erase writing makes erasing mistakes easy, which reduces the fear of perfectionism and judgment. This makes students, especially those who are shy, more willing to participate and try out new ideas.\r\nBoosts engagement - The novelty of using markers on a whiteboard can make learning feel more like a game than a chore, which increases student enthusiasm. The tactile experience also engages more senses than writing on a virtual board, making learning feel more natural.\r\n\r\nAllows for quick assessment - Whiteboards are an effective tool for a teacher to quickly gauge the entire class's understanding. By having all students show their answers simultaneously, a teacher can instantly identify who is struggling and address misconceptions in real-time.\r\n\r\nFacilitates collaboration - Mini whiteboards can be used for \"think-pair-share\" activities, brainstorming sessions, or group problem-solving. This promotes teamwork, communication, and shared learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755898811847,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-for-learning-succes/9571051/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials for Learning Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rhonda Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5590589_orig.jpg?crop=351,351,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666912201103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5590589"},{"teacherId":5590589,"projectId":8911693,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous donation of dry erase markers and colored Expo markers. Thanks to your support, our math classroom has been transformed into a vibrant, hands-on learning environment where students feel excited and empowered to engage with challenging concepts.\r\n\r\nThe dry erase markers are used daily as students work out problems at their desks and on whiteboards, encouraging them to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other. Being able to quickly try, erase, and try again builds confidence and resilience—and our students are thriving because of it!\r\n\r\nThe colored markers have added another layer of impact. Students now use color-coding to organize their thinking, break down multi-step problems, and clearly see relationships between mathematical ideas. For many, this visual support is making complex concepts more accessible and understandable.\r\n\r\nThank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. Your generosity is helping our students build the skills, confidence, and mindset they need to succeed—not just in math, but in all areas of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1739376309941,"projectUrl":"project/math-solve-simplify-check-and-repeat/8911693/","projectTitle":"Math Solve, Simplify, Check and Repeat","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rhonda Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5590589_orig.jpg?crop=351,351,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666912201103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5590589"},{"teacherId":5590589,"projectId":8425911,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to our classroom. Your support means the world to us, and it has already made a remarkable impact on our students' learning, particularly in math.\r\n\r\nWith your contribution, we have been able to provide our students with the tools and resources they need to engage with math in a deeper, more meaningful way. Whether it's through hands-on manipulatives, interactive technology, or additional learning materials, your donation helps to make math come alive for every student. It provides opportunities for them to approach math problems with confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and explore concepts in a way that sparks curiosity and excitement.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom is a place where students are not only learning math but also building the skills they need to succeed in life beyond school. Your generosity is shaping their academic journeys and empowering them to achieve their full potential.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support, and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will continue to have on our students' growth and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1724166734484,"projectUrl":"project/math-and-stem-supplies/8425911/","projectTitle":"Math and STEM supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rhonda Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5590589_orig.jpg?crop=351,351,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666912201103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5590589"},{"teacherId":7718076,"projectId":6857165,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring To Kill a Mockingbird into our classroom! Your generosity made it possible for every student to have a personal copy of this powerful novel, and the impact has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nReading To Kill a Mockingbird has allowed us to dive deep into important themes such as justice, empathy, morality, and the loss of innocence. Students are learning how to analyze complex characters, understand historical and cultural context, and explore how perspective shapes storytelling. We've had deep conversations about racism, fairness, and what it means to stand up for what's right — lessons that go far beyond the pages of the book.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading doesn't just happen in silence. You'll see students participating in Socratic seminars, creating visual projects, writing personal reflections, and even performing dramatic readings. One of the most meaningful activities has been journaling from different characters' perspectives — it's helped students better understand the human side of each conflict.\r\n\r\nThere have been a few standout moments. One student, who usually hesitates to speak in front of the class, delivered an impassioned response during a debate about Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson — their voice shook, but they held the room. Another student connected deeply with Scout's curiosity and courage and told me this was the first book that \"actually made [them] think about the world differently.\"\r\n\r\nYour support gave us more than just books — you gave us a transformative learning experience. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1669819075441,"projectUrl":"project/novel-study-to-kill-a-mocking-bird/6857165/","projectTitle":"Novel Study: To Kill a Mocking Bird","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7718076_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723256524373","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7718076"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46203","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":897,"numTeachers":62,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":39,"percentWhite":36,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":67.7,"schoolId":46203,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ferry Pass Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ferry Pass Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/escambia-county-school-district/ferry-pass-middle-school/46203"}

About this school

Ferry Pass Middle School is an urban public school in Pensacola, Florida that is part of Escambia County School District. It serves 897 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.5:1. Its teachers have had 29 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

897 Students

62 Teachers

8355 Yancey Ave

Pensacola, FL 32514 View local requests

http://www.ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Ferry Pass Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Ferry Pass Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

54%

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.

Ferry Pass Middle School 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.