R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston Salem, North Carolina on DonorsChoose

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It turned what would normally be a quiet, independent activity into a collaborative, high-energy learning experience.\r\n\r\nThey were genuinely excited – especially about the personal whiteboards and stickers. Something about having their own space to write, erase, and try again lowered the pressure and made them more willing to participate. I immediately noticed more students taking risks with their thinking, even those who are usually hesitant to speak up.\r\n\r\nThe organization tools also made a difference right away. Materials are easier to access, transitions are smoother, and students feel like our classroom is a more structured, welcoming space.\r\n\r\nWe're currently building toward deeper analytical work, where students will use the whiteboards to draft claims, test evidence, and revise their thinking before moving into formal writing.\r\n\r\nNext, students will collaborate in groups to analyze texts and present their ideas using the mobile whiteboard, practicing both critical thinking and speaking skills. These tools are helping us move from basic comprehension to more advanced analysis and discussion, which is a huge step forward.\r\n\r\nThis project made learning more interactive, visible, and accessible for every student. Instead of a few voices dominating the room, now every student is actively participating. 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It's allowed me to teach in a way that aligns much more closely with how students actually learn best –through interaction, collaboration, and practice.","fullyFundedDate":1755699574363,"projectUrl":"project/organized-engaged-and-inspired-tools/9515035/","projectTitle":"Organized, Engaged, and Inspired: Tools for a Thriving English Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parsons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10056239_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749853884318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10056239"},{"teacherId":9871582,"projectId":9192866,"letterContent":"Swerve Drive is already making a huge difference in how students on our robotics team learn and grow. Because it requires a deeper understanding of mechanical systems, programming, and real-time problem-solving, students are being pushed to think more critically than ever before. They're not just assembling parts, they're learning how motion works, how angles and speed interact, and how to troubleshoot complex systems as a team. This advanced drivetrain encourages students to stretch beyond the basics, helping them build confidence in both their technical and collaborative skills.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this even more exciting is that our team has doubled in size since last year, bringing in many new members who are eager to jump into hands-on learning with advanced technology. Swerve Drive gives everyone—from returning veterans to brand-new students—a cutting-edge tool that makes robotics feel modern, challenging, and incredibly engaging. The fact that we get to design, code, and compete with technology used by top-level teams has energized the entire group. With more team members and more opportunities to learn, our robotics program is stepping into its most innovative season yet.","fullyFundedDate":1746669758277,"projectUrl":"project/west-coast-products-swerve/9192866/","projectTitle":"West Coast Products Swerve","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Marino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9871582_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x311,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734457546719","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-marinoclassroom"},{"teacherId":10056239,"projectId":9413717,"letterContent":"When my students came in and saw stacks of fresh notebooks, colorful highlighters, and caddies full of supplies ready for them, their reactions were priceless. Several students immediately reached for the pens and sticky notes, excited to start annotating and decorating their journals. One student told me, \"It feels like we're in a real classroom now.\" That moment made it clear how much these basic tools mean to them – they transform ordinary lessons into opportunities for creativity, independence, and pride.\r\n\r\nWe've already put the supplies to work. My students used their new notebooks to launch personal journals where they can write freely each day, and the sticky notes have made our literature circles interactive, with students leaving thoughts and questions directly in their books. Having these essentials available has removed a major barrier – no one has to worry about whether they have paper or a pen to participate. The new storage solutions have also helped us keep our small classroom organized, giving students more space to focus and collaborate without clutter.\r\n\r\nThanks to these resources, our English classroom feels like a place built for student growth. The energy has shifted: students are more willing to take risks in writing, to annotate thoughtfully, and to share ideas in discussion. Your support has helped me create not just a stocked classroom, but a community of learners who feel seen, prepared, and valued every day.","fullyFundedDate":1751543626367,"projectUrl":"project/building-our-classroom-from-the-ground-u/9413717/","projectTitle":"Building Our Classroom from the Ground Up","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parsons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10056239_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749853884318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10056239"},{"teacherId":9871582,"projectId":9012914,"letterContent":"Donors Choose and generous donors like you have had a tremendous impact on our school's second-year robotics team—especially in making our outreach efforts a reality. 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About this school

R.J. Reynolds High School is an urban public school in Winston Salem, North Carolina that is part of Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. It serves 1,736 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.9:1. Its teachers have had 66 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

1,736 Students

92 Teachers

301 N Hawthorne Rd

Winston Salem, NC 27104 View local requests

http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/domain/1315

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at R.J. Reynolds High School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

R.J. Reynolds High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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R.J. Reynolds High School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

61%

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.

R.J. Reynolds High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Apr 7, 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.