{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Calmeca Academy","outOfStateSupporters":34.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9680178,"projectId":9889323,"letterContent":"After my project \"Building Bright Minds with Math and Phonics Centers\" is fulfilled, I see a big shift in my kindergarten classroom. My students are more engaged and excited because they're learning through hands-on, play-based activities. They build stronger math and phonics skills while working at their own level.\r\n\r\nWith these centers in place, I'm able to support students in small groups while the rest of the class works independently and collaboratively. The classroom becomes more focused and student-centered, helping my students grow both academically and socially.","fullyFundedDate":1772807138082,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-with-math-and-phon/9889323/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds with Math and Phonics Centers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9680178_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768388631091","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9680178"},{"teacherId":10377387,"projectId":9948850,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. The arrival of our new projector has transformed the learning environment here at Calmeca. It is more than just a piece of hardware; it is a window that brings our curriculum to life with a clarity we simply didn't have before.\r\n\r\nMany of you use high-definition technology at home for entertainment, but in our classroom, that same power is used to bridge the gap between \"looking\" and \"learning.\" In a school setting, visual clarity is a matter of accessibility. Because this projector is so much brighter than our previous model, I no longer have to dim the lights to the point where students can't see their notebooks to take notes. This allows us to maintain a bright, active atmosphere where students can see the fine details of a complex map or a scientific diagram while still collaborating with their peers in a well-lit room.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for the students has been the sheer immersion. When we project images or videos now, the colors are vivid and the text is crisp. To them, it feels like a \"classroom cinema.\" This \"wow factor\" has significantly increased their focus; when the screen turns on, the room goes silent with anticipation. It has turned standard lessons into shared experiences that spark immediate questions and curiosity.\r\n\r\nI've noticed a profound change in my students who are visual learners or those who previously struggled with attention. One student, who used to drift off during lectures, is now the first to jump up and point out specific details on the screen. The brightness helps anchor their attention and makes abstract concepts feel much more concrete. For my students who are building their English language skills, having such high-quality visual cues paired with our lessons has been essential for their confidence and comprehension.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly brightened the future of these students, literally and figuratively. Thank you for investing in our classroom and our community.","fullyFundedDate":1765826349323,"projectUrl":"project/a-mariachi-project-ion/9948850/","projectTitle":"A Mariachi Project-ion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10377387"},{"teacherId":8806297,"projectId":10091905,"letterContent":"These books have become the most requested books in our literacy centers. We use them in several ways. Pig's misadventures provide the perfect springboard for discussions about sharing, honesty, and sportsmanship. The Spanish translations are engaging and accessible, helping students connect humor with language acquisition. Just yesterday during centers, I witnessed a group of three students huddled together, taking turns reading aloud and laughing hysterically at Pig's latest mishap. It's rare to see that level of spontaneous, collaborative engagement with text, and it is entirely thanks to these books.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has done more than just provide books; it has sparked a genuine love for reading and storytelling in my students. Thank you for being a part of our classroom community and for investing in these young readers.","fullyFundedDate":1772135627709,"projectUrl":"project/risas-y-lecciones-con-pig-el-pug/10091905/","projectTitle":"Risas Y Lecciones Con Pig El Pug","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. López","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8806297_orig.jpg?crop=795,795,x170,y511&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772114611001","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ym-lopez"},{"teacherId":8806297,"projectId":10087623,"letterContent":"The transformation in our classroom since the arrival of your gifts has been incredible. When the students first saw the inflatable chairs and wiggle donuts being unpacked, the room was filled with pure joy. One of my students immediately sank into an inflatable chair with a book and said, \"I feel like I'm sitting on a cloud!\" Seeing their faces light up as they realized they could finally \"wiggle\" while they worked was a moment I will never forget.\r\n\r\nWe are currently using these resources to power through our intensive morning literacy and during evening math blocks. The impact on our daily productivity has been immediate; instead of students constantly getting up to wander or losing focus due to restlessness, they are now tucked into their \"focus zones.\" I've watched students who previously struggled to sit still for ten minutes now remain completely immersed in their assignments while gently bouncing on their wiggle donuts. By meeting their sensory needs, you have removed a significant barrier to their academic success.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next big step is a Collaborative STEM Research Project. Because the inflatable chairs and donuts are so lightweight and mobile, students can easily pivot and gather in small \"learning pods\" to share ideas and build models together. This flexibility allows our classroom to transition from independent work to group collaboration in seconds. Your generosity hasn't just provided furniture; it has created a space where every student feels comfortable and ready to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1770647671544,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-while-we-work-flexible-seating-f/10087623/","projectTitle":"Wiggle While We Work: Flexible Seating for Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. López","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8806297_orig.jpg?crop=795,795,x170,y511&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772114611001","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ym-lopez"},{"teacherId":1140159,"projectId":9199079,"letterContent":"It is because of you that my students were able to receive new classroom supplies. Our old clipboards were unattractive and literally falling apart from years of use. Many clipboards had cracks in them or had missing pieces, making them difficult to use. Nonetheless, students made due. When the new ones came, my students faces lit up and they cheered. Finally, no more struggling and having to manipulate the paper just to be able to write on it. \r\nClipboards are essential in my classroom because they allow students the flexibility of completing their work in any part of our room. With the clipboards, students are free to explore other work spaces and are not locked in to a desk.\r\nAll of the other supplies have also made a positive impact. Our pencils were down to a nub and the erasers were long gone. Crayons in our room were nearly non-existent. Our scissors were dull and our glue sticks empty. We were also getting dangerously low on story writing paper. \r\nAfter receipt of our supplies we longer have to ration. I am happy to report that we are back to writing, drawing, crafting and creating every single day. We are so appreciative because a new spark of creativity has been ignited. You did that with your generous donation and we are so happy you did!","fullyFundedDate":1742950383132,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success/9199079/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rivera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1140159"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5740","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":625,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":86,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.4,"schoolId":5740,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Calmeca Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Calmeca Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/calmeca-academy-of-fine-arts-and-dual-language/5740"}
Join the 454 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Calmeca Academy is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 625 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.2:1.
Its teachers have had 110 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 8
625 Students
41 Teachers
3456 W 38th StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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.
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.
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
97%
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.
Calmeca Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 21, 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.
Calmeca Academy
$48,512
raised using DonorsChoose
110
projects
funded
40
teachers
funded
454
donors
4
projects
for
basic supplies
8
projects for
technology
11
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Calmeca Academy has received support from
297 individuals from Illinois and
157 individuals out-of-state.
