{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chicago Academy High School","outOfStateSupporters":41.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9264205,"projectId":9770105,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our project! With your help, my students with disabilities have been engaging in an incredible learning experience that combines real-world skills with classroom participation. Through the \"Ms. Schmidt Store,\" students earned \"Schmidt Bucks\" for their hard work, completing classroom jobs, and actively participating in lessons. They were thrilled to use this fake money to purchase books and snacks from the store, a process that has significantly enhanced their financial literacy.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on their faces when they first saw the materials was unforgettable. From browsing the books to picking out their favorite snacks, the store brought joy and a sense of accomplishment to each of my students. A particularly memorable moment was watching a student carefully calculate their total, subtracting their purchases from their budget and ensuring they accounted for tax. It was a perfect example of applying math skills in a meaningful and practical way. For many students, this was the first time they truly saw how numbers relate to everyday decisions, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to continue using the store to build on these foundational financial literacy skills. Our next step is introducing savings goals, where students can decide whether to spend or save their Schmidt Bucks for higher-value items. This will add another layer of real-world application, helping them understand delayed gratification and goal-setting. Your support has opened the door for these valuable lessons, and I can't wait to see how much more my students will grow because of your generosity. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1759156751532,"projectUrl":"project/ms-schmidts-store/9770105/","projectTitle":"Ms. Schmidt's Store!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schmidt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264205"},{"teacherId":7954878,"projectId":9008211,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. It is truly the gift that keeps giving as students are still receiving support in healthy snack choices to fuel their growing brains and bodies. Our students have truly appreciated the additional calories that may not have been able to be provided by their families. Our higher than district average population of SPED/DL, ELL, and refugee children have been the most impacted by your support! The gratitude in their faces when they realized that these healthy supports were available to them reflected how much they needed it. Thank you for giving that to them. We love them dearly and aim to give them the world; you helped us get closer to that. \r\nWords cannot describe the impact of this incredible gift to the quality of life and sense of safety and security for our students. We send our endless gratitude to you for your generosity. It means the world to all of us.","fullyFundedDate":1742823915185,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-for-refugee-and-immigrant/9008211/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks for Refugee and Immigrant Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7954878_orig.jpg?crop=1282,1282,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702999425096","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7954878"},{"teacherId":1914415,"projectId":9385109,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom project, which secured a class set of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower for my Honors English 3 students.\r\n\r\nThe books have arrived, and your gift ensures that every student will have their own copy, which will allow them to annotate, highlight, and engage deeply with this powerful novel. We will be using this text as the capstone for our year, and your support will make that profound literary experience possible for everyone.\r\n\r\nWe will soon embark on this journey through Butler's text, and the students will immediately find the story to be a compelling framework for thinking about their own lives and futures. Instead of focusing on current events, we will center our discussions on themes of change, adaptability, and the power of individual foresight:\r\n\r\nThe students will analyze the central philosophy of \"God is Change\" and will explore what it means to create a sustainable, personal future in uncertain times.\r\n\r\nThey will develop their critical thinking skills by observing how the characters build community and overcome systemic challenges through innovation.\r\n\r\nBy the end of the unit, the students will have gained a stronger sense of agency and resourcefulness, understanding that their own minds are the tools they will rely on to navigate the world ahead.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing directly in their intellectual future. Your generosity will provide my Honors English 3 class with a challenging, relevant, and personally empowering reading experience that will influence the way they approach obstacles long after they leave my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1750793715706,"projectUrl":"project/cultivating-critical-thinking-with-parab/9385109/","projectTitle":"Cultivating Critical Thinking with Parable of the Sower","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Keefe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/okeefecahs"},{"teacherId":5027067,"projectId":9597698,"letterContent":"My students and I are so grateful for the generous donations that funded our project! With this project we were able to make our classroom beautiful and inviting as well as receive supplies that we have already started using! The students have been able to be creative and and work in teams to complete their assignment. Our classroom really feels like a community now and it is all because of the amazing supplies we received through this project. We are excited to continue to use these supplies and continue our learning. Thank you, again!","fullyFundedDate":1755886159457,"projectUrl":"project/the-bare-necessities-for-growth/9597698/","projectTitle":"The Bare Necessities for Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5027067_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x304,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561042168996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missg01"},{"teacherId":5027067,"projectId":9123731,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all your generous donations to our classroom. My students were so excited and grateful when they got to open all the boxes! They know that they have a place where they can come and grab a snack when they aren't feeling great. This project is helping me maintain a safe space for them and they are loving it! It is your donations that make a huge impact in my classroom and for my students. Many of them come to school to have a meal and often times might be the only one all day. They do not have to feel embarrassed to ask for what they need because it's open to all. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1742823930794,"projectUrl":"project/food-for-thought/9123731/","projectTitle":"Food for Thought","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5027067_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x304,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561042168996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missg01"},{"teacherId":9264205,"projectId":9080041,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our project! With your help, my students with disabilities have been engaging in an incredible learning experience that combines real-world skills with classroom participation. Through the \"Ms. Schmidt Store,\" students earned \"Schmidt Bucks\" for their hard work, completing classroom jobs, and actively participating in lessons. They were thrilled to use this fake money to purchase books and snacks from the store, a process that has significantly enhanced their financial literacy.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on their faces when they first saw the materials was unforgettable. From browsing the books to picking out their favorite snacks, the store brought joy and a sense of accomplishment to each of my students. A particularly memorable moment was watching a student carefully calculate their total, subtracting their purchases from their budget and ensuring they accounted for tax. It was a perfect example of applying math skills in a meaningful and practical way. For many students, this was the first time they truly saw how numbers relate to everyday decisions, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to continue using the store to build on these foundational financial literacy skills. Our next step is introducing savings goals, where students can decide whether to spend or save their Schmidt Bucks for higher-value items. This will add another layer of real-world application, helping them understand delayed gratification and goal-setting. Your support has opened the door for these valuable lessons, and I can't wait to see how much more my students will grow because of your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1738634723454,"projectUrl":"project/ms-schmidts-store/9080041/","projectTitle":"Ms. Schmidt's Store!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schmidt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264205"},{"teacherId":5027067,"projectId":8710318,"letterContent":"The materials that we received from this project have made our ESL class so much fun! The kids love doing the crossword puzzles from the books because they are challenging but also helping them a great deal with their vocabulary. \r\nThe speaking cards have helped so much in getting them to talk to one another and become comfortable in class. We are also enjoying the warm-up activities that we do at the beginning of class. It allows the students to do something different every day while still practicing the skills we are learning. We are so grateful for your donations because they are making our classroom a better place for learning!","fullyFundedDate":1727206279746,"projectUrl":"project/esl-for-newcomers/8710318/","projectTitle":"ESL for Newcomers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5027067_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x304,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561042168996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missg01"},{"teacherId":9264205,"projectId":8758541,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our project! With your help, my students with disabilities have been engaging in an incredible learning experience that combines real-world skills with classroom participation. Through the \"Ms. Schmidt Store,\" students earned \"Schmidt Bucks\" for their hard work, completing classroom jobs, and actively participating in lessons. They were thrilled to use this fake money to purchase books and snacks from the store, a process that has significantly enhanced their financial literacy.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on their faces when they first saw the materials was unforgettable. From browsing the books to picking out their favorite snacks, the store brought joy and a sense of accomplishment to each of my students. A particularly memorable moment was watching a student carefully calculate their total, subtracting their purchases from their budget and ensuring they accounted for tax. It was a perfect example of applying math skills in a meaningful and practical way. For many students, this was the first time they truly saw how numbers relate to everyday decisions, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to continue using the store to build on these foundational financial literacy skills. Our next step is introducing savings goals, where students can decide whether to spend or save their Schmidt Bucks for higher-value items. This will add another layer of real-world application, helping them understand delayed gratification and goal-setting. Your support has opened the door for these valuable lessons, and I can't wait to see how much more my students will grow because of your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1727569094391,"projectUrl":"project/ms-schmidts-store/8758541/","projectTitle":"Ms. Schmidt's Store!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schmidt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264205"},{"teacherId":3464253,"projectId":8685517,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire school community, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of social-emotional learning supplies. Your support is making a meaningful impact on our students, helping to foster an environment where they can develop essential life skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. With these new resources, our educators are better equipped to create engaging, inclusive lessons that empower students to navigate their emotions, build positive relationships, and grow into confident individuals.\r\n\r\nWe deeply appreciate your commitment to the well-being of our students and your belief in the power of social-emotional learning. Your contribution not only enhances the learning experience, but it also sends a powerful message that you care about their success and emotional health. Thank you for your continued generosity and support—together, we are helping to build a stronger, more resilient future for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1724440768413,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-phelans-brain-brain-supply-list/8685517/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Phelan's Brain Brain Supply List","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phelan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3464253"},{"teacherId":7954878,"projectId":8686132,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. It is truly the gift that keeps giving as students are still receiving support in healthy snack choices to fuel their growing brains and bodies. Our students have truly appreciated the additional calories that may not have been able to be provided by their families. Our higher than district average population of SPED/DL, ELL, and refugee children have been the most impacted by your support! The gratitude in their faces when they realized that these healthy supports were available to them reflected how much they needed it. Thank you for giving that to them. We love them dearly and aim to give them the world; you helped us get closer to that.","fullyFundedDate":1725245717101,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-for-refugee-and-immigrant/8686132/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks for Refugee and Immigrant Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7954878_orig.jpg?crop=1282,1282,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702999425096","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7954878"},{"teacherId":4470136,"projectId":8685063,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable social emotional learning (SEL) tools provided in our classroom. These resources—conversation cards, workbooks, fidget toys, and coloring books—have truly made a difference in fostering a supportive and emotionally safe environment for every student. As we all know, high school can be a challenging time, full of academic pressure, social changes, and personal growth. SEL tools are essential in helping students navigate these challenges in a healthy and constructive way. Your generosity in providing such tools has made a profound impact on our emotional well-being, and I cannot thank you enough for that.\r\n\r\nThe conversation cards have been particularly useful in sparking important discussions among peers. They encourage us to open up, share our feelings, and listen actively to each other. These cards offer thought-provoking questions that go beyond typical classroom conversations, helping us explore topics like empathy, gratitude, and stress management. By engaging in these dialogues, we not only build stronger relationships with our classmates, but we also develop the skills needed to communicate more effectively, both in and out of school. These conversations help us feel heard and understood, which contributes to a stronger sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nThe workbooks and journals have been another invaluable resource. They offer us structured activities that help us reflect on our emotions, set personal goals, and learn coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety. The prompts within these workbooks encourage us to explore our emotions in a safe and guided manner. They provide a sense of direction in moments of uncertainty, helping us understand that it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times and that there are ways to process these feelings productively. The practical exercises in the workbooks help us develop emotional resilience, a skill that will undoubtedly benefit us throughout our lives.\r\n\r\nFidget toys/games have been a game-changer in the classroom, allowing students to focus and self-regulate. Sitting through a long class or trying to concentrate during a particularly stressful day can be overwhelming. The fidget toys offer a simple, effective way to manage nervous energy and remain focused during lessons. It might seem like a small thing, but the ability to discreetly use a fidget toy to calm their minds has allowed them to stay present and engaged in our work. This has led to improved attention and a greater sense of control over our emotions, particularly during moments of anxiety or restlessness.\r\n\r\nOverall, these SEL tools have helped us develop crucial skills that will last a lifetime. They have made it easier to navigate the ups and downs of high school life, provided comfort in times of stress, and equipped us with strategies to understand and manage our emotions more effectively. Thank you for recognizing the importance of mental and emotional health in the classroom and for supporting us with these wonderful resources. Your thoughtfulness has made a lasting difference, and we are better for it.","fullyFundedDate":1724767867719,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-socialize-irl/8685063/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Socialize IRL!!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Childers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4470136_orig.jpg?crop=559,559,x126,y18&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714060361935","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4470136"},{"teacherId":9463954,"projectId":8206430,"letterContent":"Students and staff are amazed to see our ping pong club running in full effect. This is in large part due to the four additional tables this community was able to provide. Currently, we run the club three days a week with anywhere between 10 to 25 kids and staff. Some kids stay and play for over two hours!\r\n\r\nWe are also able to run four sessions of ping pong during our once a quarter Community Days. Our first session of this was in October, and the additional tables made this an incredible success. Kids even commented how much improved the space was as compared to last year when kids literally played on four office room tables pushed together. \r\n\r\nWe are currently in the process of creating new partnerships to take our club to a whole new level with additional equipment and resources. In the future, we hope to offer tournaments for our school community, and potentially, to students all throughout Chicago.","fullyFundedDate":1710590211719,"projectUrl":"project/ping-pong-tables-needed-for-growing-high/8206430/","projectTitle":"Ping Pong Tables Needed for Growing High School Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tollerud","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9463954"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_103881","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":553,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":79,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":75,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"17.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.1,"schoolId":103881,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Chicago Academy High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Chicago Academy High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/chicago-academy-high-school/103881"}