{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"McLees Academy of Leadership","outOfStateSupporters":44.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5491064,"projectId":10378489,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring our \"Building Strong Readers, One Word at a Time\" project to life! My first graders have been so excited to use these new word-building materials during our phonics and literacy lessons. The hands-on boards give students the opportunity to physically build words, practice sound patterns, and apply the phonics skills we are learning in class. They especially love being able to move the letters and word chunks around as they work, and the materials have made our practice feel much more engaging than simply completing a worksheet.\r\n\r\nThese resources have already become a valuable part of our classroom routine. I have been able to use them for whole-group practice, partner work, and small-group instruction so students can receive extra practice at the level they need. Seeing students work together, talk through the sounds in words, and proudly show what they have built has been wonderful. The excitement on their faces when they first began using the boards showed me immediately that these materials would be something they looked forward to using.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, we will use these resources to practice new phonics patterns, strengthen decoding and spelling skills, and help students become more confident and independent readers and writers. Your generosity has provided my students with a fun, meaningful way to build the foundational reading skills they will use for years to come. 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They couldn't wait to jump in, explore, and start learning together.\r\n\r\nThese resources have already made a huge impact in our classroom. They encourage teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, and meaningful conversations while reinforcing the skills we're learning each day. Watching my students build confidence as they play, discover, and learn has been one of the greatest joys of the beginning of our school year.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has given my students opportunities they will remember long after first grade. As we continue learning together this year, these materials will remain an important part of our classroom, helping every child grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their future. Your generosity is truly making a difference, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1784032218857,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-through-play/10376083/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5491064_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778006593337","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5491064"},{"teacherId":5491064,"projectId":9514592,"letterContent":"supporting our \"Helping Little Learners Stay Focused with Headphones!\" project. These headphones have already made such a meaningful difference in our classroom. Many of my students use technology at home, but using it in a structured learning environment is very different—and these headphones have helped them stay focused, engaged, and successful during digital lessons. Whether they're working on iReady, listening to reading passages, or practicing math fluency, the ability to hear clearly without distractions has transformed their learning time.\r\n\r\nMy students were so excited when they saw the new headphones. They immediately noticed how comfortable they were and how well they blocked out background noise. For many of my more easily distracted learners, this has been the biggest game-changer. I have one student who typically struggles to stay on task during independent work, but with the headphones he is now able to complete whole lessons without losing focus. Several students who are sensitive to noise have also shared that using these headphones makes them feel calmer and more confident during technology time.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided my first-graders with the tools they need to learn, grow, and stay focused in a busy classroom. Thank you for believing in my students and helping make our learning environment the best it can be. 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Join the 151 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
McLees Academy of Leadership is
a rural public school
in Anderson, South Carolina that is part of Anderson School District Five.
It serves 537 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.1:1.
Its teachers have had 38 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Grades Pre-K - 5
537 Students
41 Teachers
4900 Dobbins Bridge RdContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
31%
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.
McLees Academy of Leadership Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Oct 12, 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.
McLees Academy of Leadership
$24,570
raised using DonorsChoose
38
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
151
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
6
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
McLees Academy of Leadership has received support from
84 individuals from South Carolina and
67 individuals out-of-state.