{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benjamin Mays Academy","outOfStateSupporters":34.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10096282,"projectId":9505104,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a more organized, engaging, and supportive learning space for every student. The new supplies are being used daily across reading, writing, social-emotional learning, and hands-on activities. Students use the construction paper, crayons, glue, and Play-Doh to create letter books, sentence-building projects, and art that supports phonics and fine motor skills. The storage bins, chair organizers, and supply caddies have helped students become more independent by learning how to find, use, and clean up their own materials.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate. They were especially thrilled by the colorful fidget tools, beanbags, and flexible seating options, which have already made a positive difference for students who need movement or sensory supports to stay focused. Several students proudly said, \"These are for us!\" as they explored the new reading games, letter manipulatives, and emotion tools. These resources helped students feel valued and motivated, creating a joyful and welcoming classroom environment.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these materials to deepen their literacy skills through small-group reading centers, sight-word games, and collaborative projects. The social-emotional resources are supporting lessons on kindness, feelings, and classroom community, while the flexible seating and organization tools help students stay focused and confident throughout the day. Your support has made a lasting impact, and because of you, our students are learning, growing, and thriving every single day. Thank you for being an important part of our classroom story.","fullyFundedDate":1759424679049,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-bright-beginning-for-kinderga/9505104/","projectTitle":"Building a Bright Beginning for Kindergarten Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mejia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10096282"},{"teacherId":217130,"projectId":8991437,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! My students enjoy the scientific calculators everyday in mathematics class. They are so amazed and thankful to know that someone cares for them. It surely takes a village to educate and support our students. \r\n\r\nScientific calculators have made it smoother and more productive with quick calculations. Currently, we are working on Pythagorean Theorem and calculating square roots. Without the calculators this would not have been possible for those numbers which are not perfect squares.\r\n\r\nIn my heart of hearts this donation will help my next group of mini mathematicians as well!\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you! We sincerely appreciate your generosity for helping our students of Englewood in Chicago.","fullyFundedDate":1736386829023,"projectUrl":"project/calculating-our-future/8991437/","projectTitle":"Calculating Our Future","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abbott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp217130_orig.jpg?crop=540,540,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1585734926433","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msabbott"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5659","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":244,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":90,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.3,"schoolId":5659,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benjamin Mays Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benjamin Mays Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/benjamin-mays-academy/5659"}
Join the 190 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Benjamin Mays Academy is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 244 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.1:1.
Its teachers have had 49 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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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
96%
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.
Benjamin Mays Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 16, 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.
Benjamin Mays Academy
$33,811
raised using DonorsChoose
49
projects
funded
25
teachers
funded
190
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
3
projects for
technology
5
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Benjamin Mays Academy has received support from
124 individuals from Illinois and
66 individuals out-of-state.