Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina on DonorsChoose

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The sound wasn't quite the same, the technique was different, and the students couldn't explore the full range of tones and textures that define true percussion performance.\r\n\r\nNow, everything has changed. Every single day, we're using these drums! Students are learning about tone, articulation, and ensemble balance in ways that were impossible before. The sound of the basses, snares, quads, and cymbals together fills the room with energy that you can feel in your chest. It's powerful, it's musical, and it's inspiring.\r\n\r\nOne of our most exciting new projects is preparing for our first-ever full drumline performance at an upcoming pep rally. This is something our students have dreamed about for months. Before the drums arrived, we performed short rhythm pieces on buckets. They were fun, but we always imagined what it would sound like to have the real thing. Now, when the students play, it's the authentic sound of a drumline. It's not just music anymore; it's an experience that moves the whole crowd. \r\n\r\nFor weeks, my students had been asking me every day, \"When are the drums coming? Are they here yet?\" When the shipment finally came in, students ran to the band room and couldn't wait to get their hands on them. I've even had to implement a rotation to keep students from fighting over who gets to play the new drums next!\r\n\r\nWhat's been most rewarding is seeing how this new equipment has elevated not only their musicianship but their sense of belonging. Students who were once hesitant or unsure about participating in music now walk into class with confidence. They stand taller behind the drums, play with purpose, and take ownership of their role in the ensemble. \r\n\r\nThis project isn't just about having drums; it's about building something lasting. Our next big goal is to establish an official student drumline ensemble at the school. Music has never been a major part of our school's identity, but I truly believe this project is the first step toward changing that. The enthusiasm surrounding the drumline has already caught the attention of other teachers, administrators, and even parents. \r\n\r\nAs we move forward, I plan to continue expanding the program by introducing more performance opportunities at pep rallies, sports events, and eventually community gatherings. My hope is that this drumline becomes a symbol of unity and pride for the entire school. And I know that none of this would have been possible without the kindness and belief of donors like you. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1752586248496,"projectUrl":"project/scsa-rocket-drumline/9366552/","projectTitle":"SCSA Rocket Drumline","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Porter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039271_orig.jpg?crop=1364,1364,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747664569332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039271"},{"teacherId":10039271,"projectId":9366381,"letterContent":"I can't begin to express how grateful my students and I are for your generous contribution toward our classroom set of personal digital keyboard pianos. Your gift has completely transformed the way my students experience music. \r\n\r\nBefore this project was funded, my students had to share one or two of my own personal instruments among a large group. This made it difficult for everyone to practice independently, explore their own interests, or truly understand the joy of music in a personal way. But now, each of my students has access to their very own digital piano during class. This technology is opening doors they didn't even know existed.\r\n\r\nThe keyboards have helped my students learn in ways that traditional classroom methods simply couldn't. With their own instrument, each student can engage directly with music theory, rhythm, melody, and harmony at their own pace. \r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting things for my students has been the ability to learn and play their favorite songs. A few of them have jumped right into learning popular songs like Kanye West's \"Runaway.\" Now, instead of waiting in line for a turn on a shared keyboard, they can sit down at their own station and explore freely. This sense of ownership and independence has sparked a level of engagement I've never seen before. Students are coming to class eager to show me what they learned on their own time! \r\n\r\nThere are also a few standout students who have especially taken to this new addition to our classroom. One in particular, Bennett, has truly amazed me. He has perfect pitch and a deep, natural understanding of music that's rare to find among professionals, let alone children. He spends every spare moment in class experimenting with melodies, chords, and harmonies. I believe he has the potential to become a professional musician one day. Right now, I'm not sure his family has access to private lessons, so having this equipment available in school has been a game-changer for him. These instruments are giving Bennett and others like him the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a way that can genuinely shape their futures.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of myself, my students, and the entire school community, thank you for helping make this vision a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1752586246567,"projectUrl":"project/rockets-reach-the-keys/9366381/","projectTitle":"Rockets Reach The Keys","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Porter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039271_orig.jpg?crop=1364,1364,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747664569332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039271"},{"teacherId":8551816,"projectId":9134078,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations. Because of your kindness, our students with disabilities get to access the curriculum independently. Many of our younger students lack the motor coordination to use traditional laptops. Using a mouse on a laptop requires students to have strong eye-hand coordination. At the K-2 level, many of our students develop at different rates, and many are not developmentally able to effectively use eye-hand coordination to operate a computer mouse. As a result, many of our students fail our standardized tests and fall behind in classroom assignments that require the use of a laptop.\r\n Through your donation, we were able to purchase tablets for our students who struggle with using laptops. The tablet does not require a strong use of eye-hand coordination, as many students find it easier to use. It serves as an accommodation to help students access the curriculum and achieve on standardized tests while they learn how to use a traditional computer mouse. We are very grateful for your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1750935792385,"projectUrl":"project/tablets-for-k-2-special-education/9134078/","projectTitle":"Tablets for K-2 Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Phillips-Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8551816"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125493","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":877,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":60,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.2,"schoolId":125493,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/north-carolina-department-of-education/southwest-charlotte-stem-academy/125493"}

About this school

Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy is a suburban public school in Charlotte, North Carolina that is part of North Carolina Department of Education. It serves 877 students in grades K - 8. Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 8

877 Students

# of teachers unavailable

5203 Shopton Rd

Charlotte, NC 28278 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

Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Phillips-Williams

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Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

86%

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.

Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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