Mather High School in Chicago, Illinois on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mather High School","outOfStateSupporters":37.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2509012,"projectId":9600704,"letterContent":"Receiving a classroom set of TI-84 graphing calculators through the generosity of DonorsChoose supporters has had a truly transformative impact on my Algebra 2 classroom. In a school that serves a largely low-income, diverse community with limited resources, these calculators have helped level the playing field for my students. Many of them had never had consistent access to technology like this before, and now every student can fully participate without worrying about sharing, borrowing, or falling behind.\r\n\r\nWith the TI-84s, students are able to visualize complex algebraic concepts such as quadratic functions, exponential growth, and systems of equations in ways that make the math more concrete and meaningful. Lessons that once felt abstract now come alive as students see graphs change instantly and connect equations to real outcomes. This has increased engagement, confidence, and willingness to take academic risks, especially for students who previously struggled with traditional, paper-only approaches.\r\n\r\nThe calculators have also allowed me to teach at a higher level and align instruction more closely with state standards and assessments, while still supporting students who need extra help. Class time is used more efficiently, discussions are richer, and collaboration has increased as students explore and verify their thinking together. Most importantly, this project has shown my students that people believe in them and their potential. Thanks to the donors who funded this project, my classroom is more equitable, empowering, and inspiring and my students are better prepared for future math courses, college, and careers.","fullyFundedDate":1757555517274,"projectUrl":"project/my-mathematicians-need-calculators/9600704/","projectTitle":"My mathematicians need Calculators!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2509012"},{"teacherId":309952,"projectId":9055441,"letterContent":"I would like to thank you once again for providing the opportunity for my students to learn 3D printing. Before your donations, many of them had never seen or touched a 3D printer. The excitement on their faces when they first learned that they would be 3D printing is memorable. \r\n\r\nStudents now understand how they are able to design a model on their computers and send it to the printer and watch it materialize into something tangible. They got the opportunity to think in creative ways while using their problem solving skills to design and troubleshoot prototypes. Most of all, they are learning that hard work and perseverance pays off in the end. \r\n\r\nAll of my students have shown great interest in 3D printing and worked really hard to design their models. The display of joy on their faces each time their model was brought to life was amazing to watch. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746661820470,"projectUrl":"project/printing-the-future-the-art-of-3d-print/9055441/","projectTitle":"Printing the Future--The Art of 3d Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lewis-Morris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/309952"},{"teacherId":30331,"projectId":9443237,"letterContent":"Activity is better than passivity in the classroom. Doing something is better than just sitting and receiving information. When a kid comes to music class, it is often a different experience for them than all of their other classes. Their activities will be mental and physical. Kids use different parts of their brains when learning and learning and performing music. \r\n\r\nEven within the music class there is a different amount of activity. Are kids going to sit at their spots and simply clap rhythms or use body percussion? Or are they playing classroom and rhythm instruments. Your donation has enabled the latter! Thank you so much for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1752333315176,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-diversity-in-my-music-classr/9443237/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Diversity in My Music Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp30331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453307059813","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/matherorch"},{"teacherId":88569,"projectId":9004940,"letterContent":"I sincerely apologize for the lateness of this letter but since you all donated to a bee-keeping project, much of what I say to you will track. You donated two hives to us but I was only able to purchase one package of bees this year since I had to purchase it out of pocket. On April 14th I got the email notification that my bees were ready for pickup but I was in Senegal doing my field experience for Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms. I had to email a collection of my best students, attach a bunch of youtube videos, and hope for the best that they would be able to transplant the bees into their new home. \r\n\r\nWell, considering the alternative, my students did a great job on their first bee experience but there were some issues. They mistakenly left the nuc case in the hive and therefore left too much space between the frames. The bees started creating their comb on the queen excluder and by the time I returned from Senegal, there was no way to inspect the hive without upsetting the comb that was hanging from the plastic excluder.\r\nAnyway, it became another great lesson in beekeeping because we tried to save as much of the original comb as possible as we properly set the hive. \r\nSince then we have left the bees alone so they could re-establish and I have been waiting for that time to get some good pictures. Unfortunately, the pictures are due tomorrow so I hope that a few shots of my kids wearing their bee suits and hanging out with the bees will suffice. \r\n\r\nI can promise you that students in here at Mather have developed a fascination with these bees. Students regularly eat their lunches on the ground in front of the hive so they can watch the action as the bees work tirelessly to pollinate our world. I am excited to get the second hive going next year. If any of you know of programs or organizations around Chicago that are able to offer assistance to beekeepers I would welcome your input. But thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing this project to exist.","fullyFundedDate":1739497914612,"projectUrl":"project/students-beekeeping-in-the-city/9004940/","projectTitle":"Students Beekeeping in the City","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Iselin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp88569_orig.jpg?crop=1835,1836,x0,y599&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1681921654426","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/88569"},{"teacherId":4797951,"projectId":2793730,"letterContent":"I would like to thank you for your generous donation. The tablets have been very helpful in the classroom. The students have come to rely on them for data taking and computation. I have also allowed engaging more with online content in a more immediate way. I have seen real growth in all of my students. 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About this school

Mather High School is an urban public school in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299. It serves 1,674 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 20.4:1. Its teachers have had 367 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

1,674 Students

82 Teachers

5835 N Lincoln Ave

Chicago, IL 60659 View local requests

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Mather High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Mather High School Demographics

81%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

84%

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.

Mather High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 22, 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.