Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine on DonorsChoose

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Thank you so very much!!","fullyFundedDate":1694199939654,"projectUrl":"project/operation-organize-art-supplies/7526240/","projectTitle":"Operation: Organize Art Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Crowe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7156940_orig.jpg?crop=673,673,x11,y40&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1583373763360","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7156940"},{"teacherId":2458104,"projectId":8823321,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity in supporting my students through this DonorsChoose project. The impact of your donation has been immediate and profound, and I am so excited to share how these sketchbooks have already transformed our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe moment I handed out the sketchbooks, my students' faces lit up with excitement. Many of them flipped through the pages, running their fingers over the blank surfaces, eager to start filling them with ideas. One student exclaimed, \"I've never had a real sketchbook before!\"—a powerful reminder of how access to simple materials can make a world of difference in a young artist's journey.\r\n\r\nThese sketchbooks have quickly become an essential part of our daily routine. Students are using them to brainstorm ideas for larger projects, practice new techniques, and document their artistic growth. Recently, we began a unit on observational drawing, where students sketched objects from life to develop their understanding of form, shadow, and perspective. With their sketchbooks, they had the freedom to work at their own pace and revisit their drawings outside of class\r\n\r\nBeyond skill-building, these sketchbooks have also become personal creative journals where students explore their thoughts, emotions, and inspirations. Many have started incorporating writing alongside their drawings, reflecting on their artistic choices and personal growth. This practice is not only helping them develop as artists but also as critical thinkers who can connect their ideas to broader themes in art and life.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, my students will continue using their sketchbooks to develop concepts for an upcoming mixed-media project that explores themes of identity and environment. Your generosity has not only provided them with a tool but has also given them the confidence to embrace their creative process.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping to nurture the next generation of artists. Your support means more than words can express, and we are incredibly grateful for your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1735657898182,"projectUrl":"project/sketch-it/8823321/","projectTitle":"Sketch it!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Drake","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2458104_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450478176464","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ardrake"},{"teacherId":2458104,"projectId":8395775,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have had the opportunity to explore self-expression, design, and storytelling through the creation of mini zines. The resources you provided—paper, markers, glue sticks, and collage materials—transformed our classroom into a hub of creativity and personal exploration.\r\n\r\nHow We Used the Materials\r\nThe mini zine project encouraged students to select a theme or concept meaningful to them and communicate it visually using principles of design such as balance, unity, contrast, and emphasis. We began by examining the history and impact of zines in DIY culture, which inspired students to brainstorm their own ideas, ranging from personal identity and mental health to environmental activism and social justice.\r\n\r\nDuring the zine-making process, students eagerly sifted through the materials, experimenting with different visual compositions and storytelling methods. Some students used collage techniques with magazine clippings, while others relied on hand-drawn illustrations or mixed-media approaches to bring their ideas to life. The excitement in the room was palpable—students were engaged, helping each other refine their layouts, and fully immersed in the creative process.\r\n\r\nStudent Reactions\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their eyes lit up with enthusiasm. Many had never created a zine before, and they were eager to dive in, asking questions about formatting, folding techniques, and how to effectively layer their visuals. A particularly memorable moment was when one student, who often struggles with confidence in their artistic abilities, proudly shared their zine about climate change with the class, explaining how they used color contrast to emphasize urgency. Another student, who is usually reserved, found their voice through a zine exploring their cultural heritage, using bold imagery and personal reflections to tell their story.\r\n\r\nNext Steps\r\nNow that students have developed their zines, we are excited to share them beyond the classroom. 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About this school

Hampden Academy is a suburban public school in Hampden, Maine that is part of Rsu 22/msad 22. It serves 761 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Its teachers have had 38 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

761 Students

51 Teachers

89 Western Ave

Hampden, ME 04444 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

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

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Hampden Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Crowe

Mrs. Drake

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Hampden Academy Demographics

30%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

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.

Hampden Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 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.

Hampden Academy

$29,509

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

donors

projects for basic supplies

project for books

projects for art supplies

Hampden Academy has received support from 39 individuals from Maine and 16 individuals out-of-state.

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Hampden Academy

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About this school

Hampden Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Hampden Academy Demographics

Hampden Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Hampden Academy

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.