{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Simon Youth Foundation Academy","outOfStateSupporters":25.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1147977,"projectId":9574172,"letterContent":"The \"Snack Sanctuary\" is not merely a collection of snacks; it is a crucial tool for stabilizing our learning environment and addressing a fundamental barrier to education: basic need insecurity. For students who may be experiencing trauma, instability in housing (foster care), or the rigid, high-stress environment of incarceration, a simple moment of hunger can be devastatingly distracting. We are using the resources to provide a calm, non-punitive break—a chance to refuel and regulate. \r\n\r\nThe snacks are available during our extended class sessions, particularly right before high-concentration activities or during a moment of obvious emotional distress. One teacher noted the students appreciated the snacks and said it feels like someone is looking out for us. This reaction confirms that the donation provided something invaluable: a feeling of external support and intrinsic worth, reminding them they are seen as individuals worthy of care.","fullyFundedDate":1758836096563,"projectUrl":"project/snack-sanctuary/9574172/","projectTitle":"Snack Sanctuary","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ledger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1147977_orig.jpg?crop=1088,1088,x304,y130&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1567173211860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-ledger"},{"teacherId":9889930,"projectId":9041833,"letterContent":"On behalf of my entire class, I want to express our deepest thanks for your generous donation of four Kindles. This incredible gift has instantly transformed the way my students approach reading. With access to a vast digital library, they can now independently explore interests far beyond the scope of our limited physical classroom collection, allowing every student to find the exact book that truly captures their imagination. We are immensely grateful for your commitment to supporting literacy in our school.\r\n\r\nThe impact of this technology on student engagement has been immediate and profound. We've seen a true reading culture emerge, with students rushing to claim a Kindle during our quiet reading time. More importantly, they are constantly initiating lively book discussions, excitedly recommending new titles and favorite authors to one another. This heightened daily engagement is already translating into stronger comprehension skills in class, and we fully anticipate that this consistent exposure to text will lead to notable and sustained improvements in their overall test achievement.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is far more than just a hardware donation; it is a vital investment in the educational future of these students. These four devices have effectively removed barriers to reading and given my students access to unlimited learning opportunities. Thank you once again for your remarkable support and for helping to instill a genuine, lifelong love of reading in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1739372620576,"projectUrl":"project/e-book-odyssey/9041833/","projectTitle":"E-book Odyssey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Byfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889930_orig.jpg?crop=1175,1175,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737076311392","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889930"},{"teacherId":1147977,"projectId":9144248,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our students through the Sweet Send-Off project! Thanks to your donations, we were able to provide memorable and joyful celebrations for our graduating class. The students' reaction when they first saw all the materials—the sparkling crowns, the festive balloons and decor, and, of course, the mountains of candy and snacks—was pure delight. There were lots of smiles. It truly made the events feel special and showed our students that their community cares deeply about their success and milestones. We used the items to create a stunning backdrop for their final high school memories, transforming a common area into a vibrant, celebratory space for both the prom and senior celebrations.\r\n\r\nThe resources you provided were instrumental in making the students feel celebrated and honored as they prepared for their next steps. A specific moment that stands out was watching the students gather for the group photos at prom. The King and Queen crowns made them feel so regal and grown-up, adding an extra touch of glamour to their special night. We also hosted a senior celebration the week before graduation, using the donated snacks and candy as fuel. It was a wonderful way to ease their stress and keep their energy up during a memorable time. Because of your contributions, we were able to focus entirely on celebrating their achievements rather than worrying about the costs of the festivities, ensuring a truly stress-free and joyful send-off.\r\nThis project has laid a wonderful foundation for how we approach celebrating our students' achievements. As we moved forward, the graduating students were focused on transitioning to their post-high school plans, whether that's college, trade school, or the workforce. Your generosity not only provided them with a sweet send-off but also gave them a powerful memory of community support to take with them. We are already planning how to incorporate this level of celebration and community involvement into next year's events, aiming to establish a sustainable tradition of honoring our students in a meaningful and memorable way. 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Join the 67 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Simon Youth Foundation Academy is
a public school
in Orlando, Florida that is part of Orange County Public Schools.
Its teachers have had 25 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Grades Not specified
# of students unavailable
# of teachers unavailable
5253 International Dr, Ste D & EContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
70%
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.
Simon Youth Foundation Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 25, 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.
Simon Youth Foundation Academy
$12,407
raised using DonorsChoose
25
projects
funded
5
teachers
funded
67
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
1
project for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Simon Youth Foundation Academy has received support from
50 individuals from Florida and
17 individuals out-of-state.
