{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ace Amandla Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":49.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3487973,"projectId":9601183,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing snacks and rewards for our students, we truly appreciate your generosity. SEL is very important and our students success in these areas are celebrated often. Even little rewards make a big impact. \r\n\r\nWe would not be able to show our support to our students in these ways, if it were not for you. Fun competition and challenges make learning SEL skills and character traits fun for our students and provides team building, confidence and friendly competition. The reward is an easy way to celebrate success and learning in these areas. Students are always so happy to receive prizes so thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!","fullyFundedDate":1758222123989,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-snacks-prizes-to-power-our-s/9601183/","projectTitle":"Level Up! Snacks & Prizes to Power Our SEL Champions!!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunajski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3487973_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489418824365","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3487973"},{"teacherId":386986,"projectId":9616229,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your gift to our classroom! In the weeks since the shipment arrived, my students have been able to get into a classroom routine using their binders. It makes me so happy to have them ready for class and have their materials in order! This wouldn't have happened without you.\r\n\r\nThe dry erase markers you sent also get used on a daily basis. Kids love writing on the board, and it is such a fun way to do team challenges. Not having to worry about running out of markers is a huge relief, because I know that there will always be enough for everyone to participate at once. It's fantastic!\r\n\r\nThank you for always looking out for Room 201. We appreciate ALL that you have done for us! ❤️","fullyFundedDate":1756355564973,"projectUrl":"project/simple-fixes-for-classroom-engagement/9616229/","projectTitle":"Simple Fixes for Classroom Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Crittenden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp386986_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696953554132","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/386986"},{"teacherId":9698872,"projectId":9219374,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students from the Art Club and other benefited Ace Amandla High School students, receive our deepest gratitude and love. Thank you for your kind heart and for giving us the opportunity to shine doing what we like to do best, to color the world around us. If it wasn't for your generosity we wouldn't have the opportunity to add bright colors to our drawings and to our sculptures. With the pallets, the acrylic paint and the paint brushes provided we feel like real professional artists ready to create many new paintings to show in a gallery. Thank you very much for sharing some of what you have with us and please do continue to help many more kids like us. With much love and gratitude the Ace Amandla Art Club.","fullyFundedDate":1753903010655,"projectUrl":"project/bright-colors-are-the-mirror-of-your-sou/9219374/","projectTitle":"Bright Colors Are the Mirror of Your Soul!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9698872"},{"teacherId":9317203,"projectId":9219384,"letterContent":"Since receiving these materials, my classroom has become more organized and efficient for all five periods I teach. The new computer mice and mouse pads have made a noticeable difference in how students approach their architectural design projects. They now have smoother control and more precision when working in programs like SketchUp and AutoCAD, allowing them to focus more on creativity and design quality rather than equipment frustrations.\r\n\r\nThe label maker, Velcro straps, and Velcro dots have completely changed how we manage shared equipment. Every station now stays neat, and materials remain in their proper place—something that was difficult to maintain before. This has created a more professional and focused atmosphere in the classroom.\r\n\r\nStudents take pride in working in a space that feels organized and cared for, and they've become more responsible about maintaining it. This project has not only improved the functionality of our lab but also strengthened the sense of ownership and respect students have for their learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1746785870603,"projectUrl":"project/tech-upgrade/9219384/","projectTitle":"Tech Upgrade","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9317203_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724341330570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9317203"},{"teacherId":9216114,"projectId":9183291,"letterContent":"Students were able to find ways to show that they understood a Math concept and express their understanding graphically and in words. They were able to use notebooks, coloring books, and books on Math for children during their individual learning times to give them opportunities to improve their Math skills using their individual learning styles.\r\n\r\nIn their community, parents struggle for basic needs, and any extras for students are always appreciated. Students always enjoy the opportunity to express themselves and to show when they understand a topic.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting my students.","fullyFundedDate":1744033018749,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-positive-reinforcement-system/9183291/","projectTitle":"Creating a Positive Reinforcement System for Our Diverse Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Muhammed A. Al-Ahari","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9216114_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y561&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692884498378","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9216114"},{"teacherId":9827871,"projectId":9219365,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our PBIS store has become a positive and motivating space that celebrates students' hard work, growth, and good choices. The new snacks, hair products, mirrors, and school supplies have given students meaningful, practical rewards that show them their efforts are valued. These items go beyond simple incentives—they help meet students' real needs and promote confidence, self-care, and responsibility. It's been wonderful to see students light up when they earn a reward they've been saving up for, whether it's their favorite snack or a new pencil to use in class.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue connecting PBIS rewards to academic and social goals. Students are tracking their progress, setting behavior targets, and reflecting on how their actions contribute to our classroom community. Because of your support, we can keep building a culture that recognizes effort, kindness, and growth—helping every student feel proud of what they accomplish, both inside and outside the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746785583394,"projectUrl":"project/positive-choices-big-rewards-pbis-stor/9219365/","projectTitle":"Positive Choices, Big Rewards: PBIS Store","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dambro-Chan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9827871_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731093758777","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9827871"},{"teacherId":9827871,"projectId":9048601,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, my students now have access to a richer variety of books that inspire curiosity, connection, and critical thinking. These new texts have allowed us to explore themes like identity, perseverance, and social change through characters and stories that truly resonate with them. With each new book, students are developing essential reading skills—such as analyzing tone and perspective, making inferences, and supporting ideas with textual evidence—all while discovering the joy of reading for pleasure.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading has become an active and collaborative experience. Students engage in small-group discussions, annotate key passages, and share personal reflections that connect the literature to their own lives. The energy in the room during reading time has shifted—there's a sense of excitement and ownership as students take turns recommending books to one another or debating the choices made by a character.\r\n\r\nSome students who once struggled to stay focused during reading are now fully immersed in their books. One student told me that a novel we read \"made reading feel real\" because it reminded her of things she's experienced herself. Others have begun checking out books to read at home, eager to continue stories beyond class time. These moments show just how powerful your support has been—by helping us bring new books into our classroom, you've helped my students see reading not just as an assignment, but as an adventure worth taking.","fullyFundedDate":1746470087922,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-worlds-building-our-classroom/9048601/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Worlds: Building Our Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dambro-Chan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9827871_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731093758777","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9827871"},{"teacherId":9827871,"projectId":9048487,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our classroom has been transformed into a warm, engaging, and inspiring learning environment. The new books have given my students access to diverse voices and stories that spark curiosity and empathy. Through these texts, students are learning to analyze character motivations, identify themes connected to real-world issues, and strengthen their close reading and writing skills. Each story has become an opportunity to discuss bigger questions about identity, belonging, and resilience—skills that go far beyond the pages of the book.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom now feels like a community experience. Students gather on our new rug during reading time, often with pencils in hand, annotating passages and sharing insights with their peers. The cart helps us keep our materials organized and easily accessible, making transitions between lessons smooth and efficient. Even something as simple as having hand sanitizer on hand has allowed us to maintain a cleaner, healthier environment where students can focus more on learning.\r\n\r\nSome students who were once hesitant to pick up a book are now the first to grab one from the shelf. One student told me that reading on the rug \"feels like being in a book club, not just class.\" Another has begun journaling reflections about the books we read, connecting them to her own life. These moments show how your donations are not just providing supplies—they're helping students see themselves as readers, thinkers, and members of a classroom community that values curiosity and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1746786029398,"projectUrl":"project/second-semester-spark-igniting-student/9048487/","projectTitle":"\"Second Semester Spark: Igniting Student Success\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dambro-Chan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9827871_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731093758777","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9827871"},{"teacherId":10169164,"projectId":9575275,"letterContent":"Students are especially excited about how the calculators help them check their work in real time. After graphing a polynomial by hand, they can verify the accuracy of their sketch on the TI-84, compare differences, and correct misunderstandings before they become habits. The calculators have also been a big support during ACT prep; I've been teaching them strategies for using the TI-84 efficiently like tracing to find zeros, adjusting windows to see the full graph, and using tables to confirm values—which boosts both confidence and test-taking skills.\r\n\r\nSome students who normally struggle with visualizing graphs have really connected with this technology. Being able to see the immediate graph of a function has helped them feel more in control and more successful. For a few students who are usually hesitant to participate, the TI-84 has actually made them more eager to engage, ask questions, and explore different functions on their own. The calculators have truly made our classroom more interactive, supportive, and hands-on, and the students are genuinely excited to use them each day.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping make this possible. Your support has had a real, daily impact on my students' confidence and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755573283732,"projectUrl":"project/graphing-a-path-to-college-success/9575275/","projectTitle":"Graphing a Path to College Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alaniz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10169164_orig.jpg?crop=546,546,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754932431279","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-alaniz"},{"teacherId":9463298,"projectId":9695527,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of Donors Choose, my students now have access to essential medical supplies, including band-aids, heat packs, ice packs, gauze, and alcohol wipes. These resources allow me to respond quickly and effectively to minor injuries and health needs during the school day, ensuring that students feel safe, cared for, and ready to return to learning with minimal disruption, which is most important.\r\n\r\nHaving these supplies readily available creates a more supportive and nurturing environment where students know their well-being matters. This contribution not only addresses immediate health concerns but also builds trust and reassurance, helping students stay focused on their academic and personal growth.","fullyFundedDate":1758222197999,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-students-are-ready-to-learn/9695527/","projectTitle":"Healthy Students Are Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9463298_orig.png?crop=338,338,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709055817591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9463298"},{"teacherId":9463298,"projectId":9432069,"letterContent":"Having access to simple yet essential tools such as mechanical pencils, pens, and spiral notebooks provides my minority students with the resources they need to fully engage in their learning. For many of my students, these supplies are not always guaranteed at home, and having them readily available in the classroom eliminates barriers that could prevent them from completing assignments, taking notes, or expressing their ideas. The availability of these tools ensures that all students can participate equally, helping to build their confidence and sense of belonging in the academic space.\r\n\r\nBeyond their practical use, these supplies send a powerful message of equity and support. When my students are equipped with the same quality materials as their peers, they feel valued and capable of achieving at high levels. Something as simple as a fresh notebook or a reliable pen affirms that their education matters and that they are worthy of the investment. These resources not only strengthen their academic skills but also empower them to take ownership of their learning, which is critical in closing opportunity gaps and nurturing their growth as future leaders.","fullyFundedDate":1752844968811,"projectUrl":"project/ever-used-a-pen-or-pencil-until-the-end/9432069/","projectTitle":"Ever Used a Pen or Pencil Until the End?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9463298_orig.png?crop=338,338,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709055817591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9463298"},{"teacherId":9584408,"projectId":8802658,"letterContent":"I want to begin by sincerely thanking you for your generosity in supporting my classroom through this project. Your contributions have made a meaningful difference for my students, and I am excited to share with you the impact these resources have had on their learning experience.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students could hardly contain their excitement. Many of them had never experienced having brand-new, high-quality resources in their classroom before, so the moment they saw the boxes, their faces lit up with joy. They eagerly helped me unpack everything, and their reactions ranged from wide-eyed amazement to clapping and cheering. It was truly a moment of pure gratitude and excitement, and it set the stage for the way these materials would transform our learning environment.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have been using the resources daily in both structured lessons and small-group activities. One specific project where the resources made a huge difference was our recent collaborative learning activity. With the new supplies, students were able to work together more effectively, sharing ideas and creating projects that reflected their understanding in creative ways. For example, during a lesson on problem-solving strategies, groups were able to use the materials to map out solutions, visualize their thinking, and present their work to the class. These tools not only enhanced their engagement but also built their confidence in communicating ideas to others.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out to me most was how the resources encouraged collaboration and inclusivity. Students who might normally hesitate to participate were more willing to engage because they now had tools that helped them express their learning in new ways. It was powerful to watch students take ownership of their learning, encourage one another, and use the resources to showcase their strengths.\r\n\r\nThe impact has gone beyond just academic growth. The materials have created a sense of pride and belonging in our classroom. Students feel valued because they know that someone cared enough to invest in their education. They often ask about the donors and why people who don't even know them would be so generous. This has opened the door for conversations about kindness, community, and the importance of giving back—lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, my students are eager to continue building on this momentum. We are currently working on a long-term project that incorporates collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, and the resources you provided are at the heart of this work. The tools allow us to take learning to the next level, moving from abstract ideas to hands-on, tangible products that reflect student understanding. The next steps will involve students presenting their projects not only to their classmates but also to other teachers and school staff, giving them a chance to share their growth with a wider audience.\r\n\r\nIn closing, I want you to know how grateful we are for your generosity. This project has given my students more than just materials; it has given them confidence, joy, and the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for making such a lasting impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1733582061404,"projectUrl":"project/write-create-achieve-providing-essent/8802658/","projectTitle":"Write, Create, Achieve: Providing Essential Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bledsoe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9584408_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744055625415","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9584408"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_96684","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":136,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":51,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":50.6,"schoolId":96684,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ace Amandla Charter School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ace Amandla Charter School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/illinois-dept-of-education/amandla-charter-school/96684"}