Jaime Escalante Middle School in Pharr, Texas on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Jaime Escalante Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":15.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4875847,"projectId":9630793,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom snack project. Your contribution has made a significant positive impact on our students' learning environment and motivation. Snacks help students stay engaged by:\r\n-Improving concentration and focus.\r\n-Providing necessary energy for long learning sessions.\r\n-Enhancing cognitive function through nutritious food choices.\r\n-Fostering a positive classroom environment.\r\n-Helping manage emotions and behavior by satisfying hunger.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, we have implemented a positive reinforcement system where students earn \"classroom money\" for completing assignments and tasks throughout the day. They can then use this money to \"purchase\" snacks from our classroom store during designated snack times. This system has proven highly effective in motivating students and encouraging consistent engagement with their work.\r\n\r\nThe kids were incredibly excited to learn the project was funded and have remained motivated throughout its duration. We are always thankful for the opportunity your generosity has provided.","fullyFundedDate":1757009773571,"projectUrl":"project/small-bites-big-smiles/9630793/","projectTitle":"Small Bites, Big Smiles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cardenas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4875847_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740124111283","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4875847"},{"teacherId":9550788,"projectId":9132164,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! It's because of donors like you who see the value in supporting STEM classrooms, that are keeping the passion alive in our students. Science can be lame (according to students) without hands on activities! Our school is very small, so we don't have the funding like some of our sister schools have. Because of this, securing funds can be a challenge and often times, comes out of our own pockets. I hope this paints a picture of why I'm so grateful and your help was appreciated 1000 percent. \r\nMy robotics class got dissolved this year so I will be planning on using those specific robotics resources in the summer camp! \r\n\r\nPart of your donation included emotional regulation tools that the students were very excited to have! Most of our kids in my school have some type of learning disability, ADHD, ect; so you have no idea how helpful and calming/focusing the desk stickers have been!","fullyFundedDate":1746785847078,"projectUrl":"project/summer-enrichment-camprobotics-class/9132164/","projectTitle":"Summer Enrichment Camp/Robotics Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Navarro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9550788_orig.jpg?crop=429,429,x0,y94&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717161834013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9550788"},{"teacherId":4880623,"projectId":8956227,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our esports program! With the additional controllers and games you helped fund, we've been able to expand student participation in ways we never thought possible. This new equipment has allowed more students to play simultaneously during practices and friendly matches, fostering teamwork, leadership, and communication skills in a highly engaging environment. These are real-world skills our students will carry with them beyond school walls.\r\n\r\nWhat's most exciting is how this technology opens doors for students who may not usually be involved in traditional extracurricular activities. Our esports team has grown not just in numbers but in confidence. Several students who had never considered themselves \"athletes\" have found their niche here—and with our expanded setup, we've even had students compete at the state level with Vanta Esports! One student who was once shy and hesitant to join any clubs has now become a team strategist and mentor for new players, all because they had the tools and encouragement to get started.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Your support is not only giving our students a chance to play—it's giving them a place to belong, grow, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1739397284137,"projectUrl":"project/switching-to-victory-support-our-esport/8956227/","projectTitle":"Switching to Victory: Support Our Esports Team","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Q.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4880623_orig.jpg?crop=315,315,x0,y12&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1632410297953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/libraryjems"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_100801","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":538,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":99,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":84.4,"schoolId":100801,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Jaime Escalante Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Jaime Escalante Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/pharr-san-juan-alamo-independent-school-district/escalante-middle-school/100801"}

About this school

Jaime Escalante Middle School is an urban public school in Pharr, Texas that is part of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. It serves 538 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.4:1. Its teachers have had 15 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

538 Students

47 Teachers

6123 S Cage Blvd

Pharr, TX 78577 View local requests

http://psjaisd.us

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Jaime Escalante Middle 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

Jaime Escalante Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

See more teachers from Jaime Escalante Middle School

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

See how DonorsChoose works

Jaime Escalante Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

99%

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.

Jaime Escalante Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 9, 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.