Sand Creek Middle School in Albany, New York on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sand Creek Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":19.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9832226,"projectId":8934491,"letterContent":"Teaching books, especially in a classroom setting, involves a number of skills that help deepen students' understanding and foster a love for reading. Many new books challenge students to think critically about themes, characters, and plot structures. Students are asked to question motives, evaluate decisions, and connect the story to larger societal or historical contexts. New books often introduce more complex or specialized vocabulary, helping students to expand their language skills and understand more nuanced language use in writing. Diverse texts bring in different cultural perspectives, allowing students to engage with new ideas, values, and experiences. This helps them develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. With new genres and literary styles, students are encouraged to analyze texts in a variety of ways, including interpreting symbolism, understanding allegories, and recognizing literary devices like metaphor, irony, and foreshadowing. Classroom discussions based on the new books help students articulate their thoughts, listen to others, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. Group activities and projects might also encourage collaboration, as they work together to understand and discuss the text.\r\n\r\nIn my classroom, reading is an interactive and dynamic activity. We often start with a group reading session where we explore the text together, pausing to discuss key ideas or vocabulary. I provide specific guidance and ask open-ended questions to help students think deeply about the text. We engage in discussions where students are encouraged to share their interpretations and listen to each other's perspectives. Students present books they've read to the class, discussing their favorite parts or themes to inspire peers to pick up new books. There's also time for independent reading, where students can pick books that interest them, and we check in periodically about how they are approaching their personal reading goals.\r\n\r\nSome students who may have previously struggled with reading are finding new books especially engaging because of the variety and diversity of voices represented. Books with fast-paced plots, humor, or characters they can relate to seem to draw in students who may have been reluctant readers in the past. These texts help them feel more connected and excited about reading. Some of the newer books offer more complex themes and challenges that appeal to students who are already strong readers. These students enjoy the depth and intellectual challenge posed by the texts, and they might even become mentors to others in book discussions. Students from diverse backgrounds often feel a deeper connection to books that reflect their own cultures, or they may enjoy reading stories that offer a new perspective on the world.\r\n\r\nUltimately, the goal is to create an environment where every student feels empowered and excited to read, no matter their reading level or background!","fullyFundedDate":1732579923833,"projectUrl":"project/help-miss-ray-and-her-students/8934491/","projectTitle":"Help Miss Ray and Her Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9832226"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_21672","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":851,"numTeachers":63,"percentFrplEligible":50,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":52,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.3,"schoolId":21672,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sand Creek Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sand Creek Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/south-colonie-central-school-district/sand-creek-middle-school/21672"}

About this school

Sand Creek Middle School is a suburban public school in Albany, New York that is part of South Colonie Central School District. It serves 851 students in grades 5 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.5:1. Its teachers have had 14 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 5 - 8

851 Students

63 Teachers

329 Sand Creek Rd

Albany, NY 12205 View local requests

http://www.southcolonieschools.org

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

Sand Creek Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Ray

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works

Sand Creek Middle School Demographics

50%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

36%

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.

Sand Creek Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 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.