Newcomer Academy in Louisville, Kentucky on DonorsChoose

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We have enough microscopes that they get plenty of time to make their observations. \r\n\r\nAnother advantage of these microscopes is that they came with a trigger to use with our school I pads and students were able to take pictures of the images from the microscope. We were able to study these images in class and use them to look for organelles and cell walls and other clues to sort the images into categories, like prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. \r\n\r\nMany of our students are interested in a a career in Health Sciences. Two students came to me a few weeks ago asking what they could do to get ready to study Nursing in college. I told them to keep practicing with the microscopes and to study the Biology that we are learning. Almost all of these students started the term not understanding basic cell theory and structure, which is a topic covered in 3rd-5th grades in the US. Having good quality, functioning microscopes has absolutely enhanced the learning of my students.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity. I appreciate how it helps welcome our students to America. I tell them often that they are the future of America and we want them to use their gifts and abilities to make the world a better place. Thanks for being part of that.","fullyFundedDate":1748692646887,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-microscopes/9382617/","projectTitle":"We Need Microscopes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2968763_orig.png?crop=242,242,x0,y14&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748437618294","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2968763"},{"teacherId":10046192,"projectId":9387504,"letterContent":"My classes have been abuzz with students moving from station to station, making and viewing microscope slides with all kinds of life. The pre-made slides have been exceptionally useful for showing the differences between plant and animal cells. I have to admit, however, that their favorite activity so far has been making their own slides using samples of molten skin we collected from our beloved school mascot, Taki the bearded dragon! That really helped solidify the fact that all living organisms are composed of cells which are constantly dividing to create new ones in their place. As teachers like to say, it was a big \"Aha!\" moment.\r\n\r\nWhen my students walked in my classroom and saw the packages for the first time, they were instantly curious to know what we would do with the materials. I quickly re-arranged lessons and bumped up the part where we got to the hands-on learning since they were so eager to see for themselves all of the concepts we had been studying related to cell theory and the organization of living things. \r\n\r\nIn a couple weeks we will begin the unit on genetics. The kits you helped provide will be essential materials for learning; without them, everything would be highly abstract and difficult to contextualize for them. The \"Aha!\" moment likely would not happen. But thanks to these resources, I know the opportunities for deeper understanding will be abundant.","fullyFundedDate":1749132007611,"projectUrl":"project/hs-biology-hands-on-learning-for-newcome/9387504/","projectTitle":"HS Biology Hands-On Learning for Newcomers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Goodin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10046192_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748627745450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10046192"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_96257","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":585,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":67,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.4,"schoolId":96257,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Newcomer Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Newcomer Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kentucky/jefferson-county-public-schools/esl-newcomer-academy/96257"}

About this school

Newcomer Academy is an urban public school in Louisville, Kentucky that is part of Jefferson County Public Schools. It serves 585 students in grades 6 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.3:1. Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 12

585 Students

44 Teachers

3741 Pulliam Dr

Louisville, KY 40218 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Newcomer Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Goodin

Ms. Wilson

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Newcomer Academy Demographics

58%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

89%

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.

Newcomer Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

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