{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Barker Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":24.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8985701,"projectId":9602890,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the purchase and donation of the large bean bag chairs for my classroom. My students enjoy having the seating options in the room, rather than just have chairs to sit in at tables or desks. They especially like the comfort they receive being surrounding with comfort, and some students have even used the chairs to nap when they had a rough evening at home and didn't get much sleep. In a special education classroom, having flexible seating that provides sensory comfort is so important for their mental well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1757683109053,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-seating/9602890/","projectTitle":"Comfy Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. VarnHagen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8985701"},{"teacherId":10171210,"projectId":9579511,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting our project. The new ball cart, hockey sticks, pucks, and pickleball set have already become part of our regular PE rotation. Pickleball is completely new to our middle school, so we started with basic skills and simple rallies. Students picked it up quickly and appreciated having something different from our usual units.\r\n\r\n Their reactions when the equipment arrived were a mix of curiosity and excitement especially toward the pickleball nets, which most had never seen before. The updated ball cart has also helped us stay organized and cut down on transition time, which makes class run much more smoothly.\r\n\r\n Our next step is moving into small games and eventually full matches. Students have been asking when they'll get to play again, and several are already hoping we keep pickleball in the permanent lineup. Your support is helping us expand what we can offer, and it's been a practical, noticeable improvement to our program.","fullyFundedDate":1761256765591,"projectUrl":"project/the-best-year-in-gym/9579511/","projectTitle":"The Best Year in Gym!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10171210_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755008596746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171210"},{"teacherId":8985701,"projectId":7236114,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donations. This was my first time trying Donor's Choose and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was an easy process for me.\r\n\r\nMy class is very enthusiastic over the bean bag chairs, and even fight for who gets to sit in them each day. I've had to make a rotating list so there is no arguing. I think I may need to complete another Donor's Choose to try and get more bean bag chairs. The school supplies donated have been very helpful, as the students where I work rarely bring school supplies to school for use.\r\n\r\nThanks again for all your support.","fullyFundedDate":1684363976802,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-supports-for-special-education/7236114/","projectTitle":"Classroom Supports for Special Education Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. VarnHagen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8985701"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_20641","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":390,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":34,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":75.2,"schoolId":20641,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Barker Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Barker Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/michigan-city-area-schools/barker-middle-school/20641"}
Join the 105 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Barker Middle School is
an urban public school
in Michigan City, Indiana that is part of Michigan City Area Schools.
It serves 390 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.2:1.
Its teachers have had 30 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.
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
48%
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.
Barker Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 7, 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.
Barker Middle School
$13,786
raised using DonorsChoose
30
projects
funded
22
teachers
funded
105
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
7
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Barker Middle School has received support from
79 individuals from Indiana and
26 individuals out-of-state.
