{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Renaissance West Steam Academy","outOfStateSupporters":40.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9695423,"projectId":10081327,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our speech therapy classroom—your generosity has made such a difference for my students!\r\nSince receiving these materials, my students and I have been using them every day to make speech therapy more visual, interactive, and meaningful. One powerful moment was during a recent articulation group where we used the 3‑D model of a mouth to practice producing specific sounds. Students were able to physically see where their tongue and lips should go, which made a huge difference—especially for my multilingual learners who benefit from visual supports. I watched students who previously struggled with a sound begin to self-correct and confidently try again. We've also been creating articulation crafts and sound books tied to their target sounds, using the drying rack to organize and celebrate their work. These projects have given students a way to practice their skills in a creative, hands-on way and even share their learning with their families at home.\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate! They were especially curious about the mouth model and eager to explore how it worked. Many students took turns using a mirror alongside the model, comparing their own mouth movements and practicing together. The games and manipulatives quickly became favorites as well—students were motivated, engaged, and asking for \"just one more turn,\" all while practicing their target sounds without even realizing how much hard work they were doing.\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this engagement by incorporating these tools into structured practice and carryover activities. Students are working toward using their sounds more consistently in words, sentences, and connected speech, and we are beginning to apply those skills during classroom participation and conversations with peers. We will also continue creating take-home materials so families can support practice outside of school, helping students generalize their skills across settings.\r\nBecause of your support, my students are not only improving their speech—they are growing in confidence, taking risks, and finding their voices. Thank you for helping make that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1772633437398,"projectUrl":"project/building-confident-communicators-through/10081327/","projectTitle":"Building Confident Communicators Through Hands‑On Speech Therapy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cannon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9695423_orig.jpg?crop=1031,1031,x1047,y2865&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724263160257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9695423"},{"teacherId":9695423,"projectId":10122266,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference for my students.\r\nSince receiving these materials, my students and I have been using them to directly connect our speech-language therapy sessions to what they are learning in their classrooms each day. For example, during a recent small group session, we used curriculum-aligned books and visual supports to target key vocabulary from their current reading unit. Students practiced describing characters, answering WH-questions, and using complete sentences—all while working with the same concepts they were seeing during ELA instruction. I have also incorporated manipulatives and visuals into math-focused sessions, helping students explain their thinking using language tied to grade-level standards. This has made our sessions more meaningful and helped students apply their skills beyond the therapy room.\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and truly heartwarming. They were eager to explore the new books, visuals, and hands-on activities, and many recognized topics they were already learning in class. This familiarity helped boost their confidence right away—they were more willing to participate, take risks, and share their ideas. Seeing themselves succeed with content they recognized created powerful moments of pride and engagement.\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue building on this momentum by deepening our use of these materials to support ongoing classroom units. Students are currently working on expanding their use of academic vocabulary, participating in discussions, and expressing their ideas more clearly across subject areas. In speech sessions, we are intentionally bridging these goals by practicing language that supports reading comprehension, written expression, and problem-solving. The next step is helping students independently carry over these skills into their general education classrooms—using their voices to ask questions, explain their thinking, and engage more fully in learning.\r\nBecause of your support, my students are not only improving their speech and language skills—they are gaining confidence as communicators and learners. You have helped create opportunities for their voices to be heard across all areas of school.\r\nThank you again for investing in my students—it truly makes a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1772633436851,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-curriculum-to-communication/10122266/","projectTitle":"Connecting Curriculum to Communication","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cannon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9695423_orig.jpg?crop=1031,1031,x1047,y2865&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724263160257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9695423"},{"teacherId":9695423,"projectId":10122154,"letterContent":"Because of your support, our speech therapy room has truly come to life with meaningful, engaging learning opportunities.\r\nWe are using these new resources every day to connect speech and language goals directly to what students are learning in their classrooms.\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. Many immediately wanted to explore the manipulatives, and visuals, and their increased engagement was noticeable right away. The hands-on and visually supportive nature of these resources has helped students feel more comfortable taking risks and participating in conversation.\r\nThese materials are already helping bridge the gap between the therapy room and the classroom. Students are beginning to use the same vocabulary and concepts we practice in therapy during their class discussions and assignments. This is especially meaningful for my multilingual learners, who benefit from repeated, structured exposure in a supportive environment.\r\nNext, we are building on this momentum by continuing to integrate grade-level content into therapy sessions. Students will apply their communication skills to upcoming reading and science units by summarizing information, explaining ideas, and engaging in structured discussions. Our goal is for students to not only strengthen their speech and language skills, but to confidently use their voices across all areas of learning.\r\nYour support is making a lasting difference—thank you for helping my students grow into confident communicators and active participants in their classrooms!","fullyFundedDate":1772633431315,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-supports-for-successful-speech/10122154/","projectTitle":"Sensory Supports for Successful Speech!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cannon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9695423_orig.jpg?crop=1031,1031,x1047,y2865&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724263160257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9695423"},{"teacherId":8629514,"projectId":10114421,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our counseling materials. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to engaging, hands-on tools that will make a meaningful difference in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nWith these new resources, students have been able to practice identifying and expressing their feelings, develop problem-solving and coping strategies, and strengthen their executive functioning skills in a supportive and engaging way. These experiences not only make counseling sessions more meaningful, but they also help students carry these skills into their classrooms, friendships, and everyday routines.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, students who struggle now have opportunities to build confidence, improve their behavior, and experience success in school. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their future.","fullyFundedDate":1772633435436,"projectUrl":"project/building-big-skills-through-play-counse/10114421/","projectTitle":"Building Big Skills Through Play: Counseling Games for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Witherspoon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8629514_orig.jpg?crop=1991,1991,x64,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673540079014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schoolpsychwitherspoon"},{"teacherId":8629514,"projectId":10032514,"letterContent":"Your thoughtful donation of pens, manila folders, and envelopes may seem simple, but these materials are essential tools that allow us to maintain the confidentiality, organization, and professionalism that our students and families deserve.\r\nEvery day, I work with sensitive student information—evaluations, intervention plans, and progress data—which must be handled with the utmost care. Your contribution helps ensure that records are securely organized, documentation is maintained responsibly, and communication with families remains both clear and confidential. These seemingly small supplies play a critical role in upholding ethical standards and protecting the dignity of every child we serve.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, I am better equipped to focus on what matters most: supporting students' social-emotional well-being, learning, and success in a safe and respectful environment. Your gift directly contributes to creating a system of care that honors student privacy while strengthening trust between school and families.","fullyFundedDate":1772633430543,"projectUrl":"project/protecting-student-privacy-while-support/10032514/","projectTitle":"Protecting Student Privacy While Supporting Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Witherspoon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8629514_orig.jpg?crop=1991,1991,x64,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673540079014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schoolpsychwitherspoon"},{"teacherId":9799524,"projectId":9649009,"letterContent":"My students are practicing their fine motor skills with all of the great toys and manipulative that I received from donors choose. The kids especially love the hammer toy and the piggy bank.\r\n\r\nMy students were really excited to see new toys in their classroom. They all flocked over to the table to try the toys which allowed a great opportunity to practice turn taking.\r\n\r\nSo many of my students are working on bilateral hand skills and in-hand manipulation skills and imitating motor movements of adults and these materials allow for so many unique opportunities to practice these skills.\r\n\r\nThank you so very much for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1769009249341,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-tiny-hands/9649009/","projectTitle":"Tools for Tiny Hands","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ellen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9799524_orig.png?crop=256,256,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731087108064","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9799524"},{"teacherId":8169465,"projectId":10097715,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our soccer project. Your donation made it possible for us to receive the athletic field spray paint we needed, and it will make a meaningful difference for our athletes. Because of you, our players will practice and compete on a field that is clearer, safer, and better prepared for growth. Your kindness shows our students that their goals matter and that our community believes in their potential. We truly appreciate your investment in our program and the positive impact it will create throughout the season. Thank you again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1772633430811,"projectUrl":"project/soccer-field-needs-athletic-field-spray/10097715/","projectTitle":"Soccer Field Needs Athletic Field Spray","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. James","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169465"},{"teacherId":8169465,"projectId":10101211,"letterContent":"We are truly grateful for your generous donations and the incredible support you have shown our program. Your contribution reflects a deep commitment to the success and well-being of our students. Because of donors like you, we are able to continue providing meaningful experiences and valuable resources that make a real difference. Your kindness strengthens our ability to serve students and create opportunities they might not otherwise have. Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the future of our youth.\r\nYour generosity not only supports our work but also inspires our students and staff to continue striving for excellence. Every donation—big or small—helps us remove barriers and open doors for young people who need it most. We are proud to have partners like you who understand the importance of community, education, and empowerment. Your continued support reminds us that we are not alone in this work. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to contribute and uplift our students.\r\nBecause of your donation, we can expand our programs, strengthen our resources, and meet the unique needs of the students we serve. Your support has a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the classroom. It allows us to build confidence, foster growth, and create positive experiences for every child involved. We are grateful for your belief in our mission and your trust in the work we do each day. Thank you again for your generosity and for helping us make a meaningful difference.","fullyFundedDate":1772633435630,"projectUrl":"project/equip-the-nest-soccer-essentials-drive/10101211/","projectTitle":"Equip The Nest: Soccer Essentials Drive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. James","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169465"},{"teacherId":8169465,"projectId":9894026,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our basketball program. Your donation is far more than financial support—you have given our student‑athletes the opportunity to grow, compete, and feel proud of who they are becoming. Many of our players are stepping into organized sports for the first time, and because of your kindness, they are able to practice and compete with confidence, proper equipment, and a true sense of unity. You have helped create an environment where our students feel seen, valued, and inspired to push themselves both on and off the court.\r\nYour generosity directly supports our mission to use basketball not only as a sport, but as a tool for building leadership, resilience, teamwork, and emotional strength. Our athletes are learning how to communicate, how to manage pressure, how to believe in themselves, and how to support others—skills that will serve them long after the season ends. They know someone outside their immediate circle believes in their dreams, and that belief is powerful.\r\nOn behalf of our school community and our growing basketball family, thank you for investing in our students' futures. Your compassion and commitment truly make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1767902290432,"projectUrl":"project/boy-basketball-needed/9894026/","projectTitle":"Boy Basketball Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. James","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169465"},{"teacherId":8169465,"projectId":9876671,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our soccer project. Your support means more than simply providing equipment or resources—you have given our students an opportunity to feel valued, empowered, and excited about being part of something special. \r\n\r\nMany of our players are experiencing organized sports for the first time, and your donation ensures they can step onto the field with confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging. Your kindness has helped us create a safe and positive environment where students can build skills, strengthen relationships, and discover what they are capable of achieving.\r\n\r\nYour generosity allows us to use soccer as a tool not only for athletic growth but also for social‑emotional learning. Through teamwork, resilience, communication, and discipline, our athletes are learning lessons that will extend far beyond the field. They feel supported, encouraged, and motivated because they know someone believes in them. That belief is powerful, and it is directly because of you.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our school and our entire soccer family, thank you for investing in our students' futures. We are truly grateful for your commitment, your compassion, and your willingness to make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1769648658298,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-girls-soccer/9876671/","projectTitle":"Middle School Girls Soccer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. James","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169465"},{"teacherId":8169465,"projectId":9876619,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our soccer project. Your support means more than simply providing equipment or resources—you have given our students an opportunity to feel valued, empowered, and excited about being part of something special. \r\n\r\nMany of our players are experiencing organized sports for the first time, and your donation ensures they can step onto the field with confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging. Your kindness has helped us create a safe and positive environment where students can build skills, strengthen relationships, and discover what they are capable of achieving.\r\n\r\nYour generosity allows us to use soccer as a tool not only for athletic growth but also for social‑emotional learning. Through teamwork, resilience, communication, and discipline, our athletes are learning lessons that will extend far beyond the field. They feel supported, encouraged, and motivated because they know someone believes in them. That belief is powerful, and it is directly because of you.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our school and our entire soccer family, thank you for investing in our students' futures. We are truly grateful for your commitment, your compassion, and your willingness to make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1769648658736,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-soccer/9876619/","projectTitle":"Middle School Soccer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. James","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169465"},{"teacherId":10217835,"projectId":9821056,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation. Because of your generosity, I am able to allow my students to show their creativity. My students are able to complete projects for the community and for their family and friends. My studnets have amazing talent. My students doesn't have the opportunity to show off their talents. This is definitely a good was for them to do so. \r\n\r\nMy students was excited to see of the crochet materials hat I had received from the donation. Because of your contibutions my student create different projects and be proud to do so. Thanks again for your dedicated support of our mission. Your generosity powers change in your community and positively impacts those in need.","fullyFundedDate":1761834272194,"projectUrl":"project/stitch-n-chat/9821056/","projectTitle":"Stitch 'n Chat","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hamrick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10217835_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319460096","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10217835"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_121303","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":689,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":89,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":68,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":23,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"27.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.2,"schoolId":121303,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Renaissance West Steam Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Renaissance West Steam Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/charlotte-mecklenburg-school-district/renaissance-west-steam-academy/121303"}
Join the 321 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Renaissance West Steam Academy is
an urban public school
in Charlotte, North Carolina that is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District.
It serves 689 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 27.6:1.
Its teachers have had 168 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 8
689 Students
25 Teachers
3241 New Renaissance WayContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Share and help support Renaissance West Steam Academy
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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
94%
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.
Renaissance West Steam Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jun 30, 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.
Renaissance West Steam Academy
$81,296
raised using DonorsChoose
168
projects
funded
55
teachers
funded
321
donors
17
projects
for
basic supplies
25
projects for
technology
28
projects for
books
7
projects
for
art supplies
Renaissance West Steam Academy has received support from
190 individuals from North Carolina and
131 individuals out-of-state.