{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alexandria City High School - M Howard","outOfStateSupporters":39.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":10185455,"letterContent":"Thank you for making \"Calculating Success: A Grand Math Finale\" a reality. Your generosity allowed us to culminate a year of rigorous standards and collaborative \"Systems Projects\" with a spectacular, formal outdoor banquet hosted in the great outdoors at Great Falls National Park. By pivoting our celebration into nature, we were able to use the formal table settings, buffet sets, and materials you funded to create a dignified, catered-style reception against an inspiring natural backdrop. For our diverse scholars—including many ambitious English Language Learners—seeing their hard work honored with personalized picture frames and formal certificates in front of their peers built an unforgettable sense of pride and belonging that completely transcended language barriers.\r\n\r\nThis unique \"point of intersection\" where academic milestones met heartfelt recognition had a profound impact on our students' community and confidence. Celebrating their achievements in such a majestic, high-level setting sent a clear message to our math stars that their perseverance is valued and worth celebrating. The presentation resources and banquet materials you provided didn't just honor their hard work this year; they have established a lasting tradition of excellence and hospitality that our department will carry forward to inspire future classes. Thank you for giving our students a celebration of success they will cherish for a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1778126198356,"projectUrl":"project/calculating-success-a-grand-math-finale/10185455/","projectTitle":"Calculating Success: A Grand Math Finale","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":10137165,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting the \"Chemistry of Independence: Inking Our Past and Preserving Our Future\" project. By merging mathematics and science in a collaborative Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative, your generosity allowed us to bring a uniquely rich, cross-curricular experience to our students. Tied to our Ecology unit on water resources, students engaged in a legislative caucus model where they used modern 21st-century ecological knowledge to draft sustainable water policy proposals for our founding fathers. A highlight of the project was the hands-on research into producing authentic oak gall ink—the very ink used to sign the Declaration of Independence—providing a profound tangible link to our nation's 250th anniversary celebration.\r\n\r\nYour investment directly enhanced our students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they navigated authentic academic hurdles. They had to think deeply to resolve the time-intensive filtration process required to make the ink, while simultaneously wrestling with the cognitive challenge of adapting advanced 21st-century environmental science into realistic 18th-century policy. Your support gave our scholars the invaluable opportunity to see how data, science, and history intersect to shape the laws of society. Thank you for providing the resources that allowed our students to become active scientific researchers and historical policy makers.","fullyFundedDate":1773779799639,"projectUrl":"project/chemistry-of-independence-inking-our-pa/10137165/","projectTitle":"Chemistry of Independence: Inking Our Past and Preserving Our Future","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":10141344,"letterContent":"To our incredible donors, thank you for investing in \"A PLC Push for College Readiness.\" Your generosity allowed our three-teacher Professional Learning Community to implement high-quality digital assessment preparation tools and introduce a highly motivating PBIS incentive system across our classrooms. Navigating test prep and college readiness can be incredibly daunting for students at a massive urban high school, but the resources you funded completely transformed their experience. These aligned digital platforms allowed our team to streamline our curriculum, track student progress collectively, and deliver consistent, rigorous preparation that met each scholar exactly where they were.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your support is beautifully reflected in our spectacular end-of-year data. Thanks to having these specialized data-driven preparation tools, 100% of the Algebra 2 students who were present for the full school year successfully passed their math SOL exam! Your investment did so much more than buy classroom resources and motivational snacks; it broke down systemic barriers, built unwavering mathematical fluency, and provided our scholars with the tangible confidence they needed to master high-stakes testing. Thank you for fueling our community-wide celebration of achievement and directly launching our students toward higher education.","fullyFundedDate":1773334189977,"projectUrl":"project/a-plc-push-for-college-readiness/10141344/","projectTitle":"A PLC Push for College Readiness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":10137159,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing the \"Preparing Future STEM Professionals Through Real-World Math\" project to life. Because of your generosity, our classroom was successfully transformed into a flexible, inspiring workspace where math stepped out of the textbook and into the real world. Your support allowed my students to dive into an extensive aviation career research initiative. Utilizing the team collaboration spaces and STEM resources you provided, students mapped out educational pathways, created professional presentations, and tackled complex projectile motion math problems. By physically graphing trajectories and calculating variables like starting heights, your investment turned abstract algebra into an exciting, concrete career skill.\r\n\r\nThe true impact of your donation lies in the invaluable clarity it provided for my students' futures. This project served as a powerful catalyst for self-discovery; the hands-on exploration inspired several students to enthusiastically pursue future careers in aviation and technology, while helping others confidently realize where their true interests lie. From the beanbag chairs that hosted brainstorming sessions to the presentation supplies that allowed them to showcase their findings, every item you funded directly built their collaboration, leadership, and career-readiness skills. Thank you for investing in our classroom and empowering the next generation of problem-solvers!","fullyFundedDate":1773093908397,"projectUrl":"project/preparing-future-stem-professionals-thro/10137159/","projectTitle":"Preparing Future STEM Professionals Through Real-World Math","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":10182300,"projectId":9887578,"letterContent":"My students at Alexandria City High School are incredibly creative, curious, and full of potential. In our Engineering Drawing & Design class, students spend every day learning how to think like engineers and designers, solving problems, sketching ideas, and bringing their imagination to life. For many of them, this is the first time they've ever been exposed to architecture or engineering, and it has been so rewarding to watch them realize, \"I'm actually good at this.\" The iPads have made learning feel real and exciting for them. Students love being able to sketch digitally, experiment with designs, and use apps like AutoCAD and SketchBook just like professionals. There's something powerful about seeing a student light up when they realize they can create something they're proud of with their own ideas and creativity.\r\n\r\nWhat has touched me most is seeing students who are usually quiet or hesitant become completely engaged when they start designing on the iPads. I've watched students stay after class to keep working on projects, excited to show me their floor plans, drawings, or design ideas. Some students who struggled to connect with traditional assignments have found confidence through this technology because it allows them to learn in a more hands-on and creative way. These iPads are doing so much more than giving students access to technology; they are helping students believe in themselves and see new possibilities for their future. Thank you for investing in my students and reminding them that their ideas, creativity, and dreams truly matter.","fullyFundedDate":1772402061699,"projectUrl":"project/designing-the-future-empowering-young-e/9887578/","projectTitle":"Designing the Future: Empowering Young Engineers with iPads","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Robbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10182300_orig.jpg?crop=348,348,x49,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762780980275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10182300"},{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":10133168,"letterContent":"Thank you so much to DonorsChoose and every individual who contributed to our project, \"Dream, Plan, Achieve: College and Career Readiness for STEM Students.\" Your generosity has truly transformed the way my STEM Academy students are preparing for their futures.\r\n\r\nThanks to the binders, journals, and organizational tools you provided, my students recently completed an incredible unit exploring careers in aviation. Working collaboratively in groups of four, they researched specific career paths and delivered presentations detailing the daily responsibilities, college qualifications, and specialized certificates required for each role. Most importantly, they were able to clearly connect the duties of each profession to exactly how math is used in that specific career. Seeing them draw these real-world connections and map out their educational pathways was a proud moment for our classroom!\r\n\r\nThe best part is that the impact of your donation does not end with this single project. These binders will travel with the students into the next school year, serving as essential organizational tools as they prepare for major college and career assessments. Whether they are organizing practice materials and tracking their growth for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT, or studying for the ASVAB to pursue military careers, these resources are keeping them focused, prepared, and confident.\r\n\r\nYou have given these future engineers, scientists, and military professionals the gift of organization and vision. Thank you for believing in my students and helping provide the resources they need to build meaningful futures.","fullyFundedDate":1772990477173,"projectUrl":"project/dream-plan-achieve-college-and-career/10133168/","projectTitle":"Dream, Plan, Achieve: College and Career Readiness for STEM Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":9666720,"projectId":9011346,"letterContent":"Students have been able to, with the donations of your binders, more readily access and review notes. Oftentimes, when students begin independent work, they find themselves referencing guided notes, graphic organizers, or notes that they have annotated themselves in order to begin the process of completing their assignments.\r\n\r\nI have found with positive reinforcements, students have been more focused in their note taking and organizational skills. The students were taken aback when I reminded them that these were donations from strangers ... that there are numerous people that want the best for their future. Not only are the students utilizing the binders dutifully, but they are taking care to not abuse them.\r\n\r\nMy students, and I, are all truly grateful. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1741481327168,"projectUrl":"project/organizing-our-titans/9011346/","projectTitle":"Organizing our Titans","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carnucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9666720"},{"teacherId":9666720,"projectId":10149506,"letterContent":"Students have been able to, with the donations of your binders, more readily access and review notes. Oftentimes, when students begin independent work, they find themselves referencing guided notes, graphic organizers, or notes that they have annotated themselves in order to begin the process of completing their assignments. \r\n\r\nI have found with positive reinforcements, students have been more focused in their note taking and organizational skills. The students were taken aback when I reminded them that these were donations from strangers ... that there are numerous people that want the best for their future. Not only are the students utilizing the binders dutifully, but they are taking care to not abuse them. \r\n\r\nMy students, and I, are all truly grateful. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1773526835969,"projectUrl":"project/organizing-for-college/10149506/","projectTitle":"Organizing for College","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carnucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9666720"},{"teacherId":7180677,"projectId":9844962,"letterContent":"As we hit the halfway point of our school year, I looked at our supply cabinets and realized with a heavy heart that our initial stock of paper, pencils, and basic math tools had already vanished. I wrote this grant because I refused to let the second half of our year be defined by what we lacked. I didn't want a single one of my students to sit in my classroom feeling held back or embarrassed because they didn't have the simple tools—like a sharp pencil or a clean sheet of paper—needed to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the new supplies arrived, the relief in the room was palpable. My students were amazed that people they've never met cared enough to restock our \"math toolkit.\" One of my students, who had been struggling to keep up with their graphing assignments, whispered, \"Wait, I actually get my own to keep at my desk?\" It was a small moment, but it represented a huge shift in their ability to focus on the math instead of the missing materials.\r\n\r\nWe are currently using these resources to dive into our coordinate geometry unit. Having a fresh supply of graphing paper and reliable writing tools has allowed us to move through our lessons with much more precision and less frustration. These supplies have leveled the playing field in my classroom, ensuring that every scholar has exactly what they need to succeed through the final bell of the year. Your investment didn't just buy \"stuff\"—it bought my students the dignity and the opportunity to learn without barriers.","fullyFundedDate":1769013572329,"projectUrl":"project/closing-the-supply-gap-equipping-every/9844962/","projectTitle":"Closing the Supply Gap: Equipping Every Math Scholar","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7180677_orig.png?crop=549,549,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588728630723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/essie-jones"},{"teacherId":8951445,"projectId":10007965,"letterContent":"Our \"I AM A POET\" project had a powerful and meaningful impact on our school community. Hosted during lunchtime on April 17th in the Minnie Howard Library, the event welcomed over 100 students who gathered to share, listen to, and celebrate poetry in a supportive and inclusive space.\r\n\r\nStudents from diverse backgrounds took the microphone to express their voices, many for the very first time. The event fostered confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging, as participants were encouraged to see themselves not just as students but as poets.\r\n\r\nThe resources funded through this project helped transform the library into a vibrant, student-centered Poetry Cafe where literacy came alive through spoken word and personal expression. because of the blackout journals, pens, and resources that your donation provided. The energy in the room was inspiring—students actively engaged, supported one another, and built a community rooted in respect and storytelling. \r\n\r\nThis experience truly helped our school's culture of literacy, amplified student voice, and reinforced the idea that every student has a poem worth sharing.","fullyFundedDate":1769615036427,"projectUrl":"project/i-am-a-poet/10007965/","projectTitle":"I AM A POET!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951445_orig.jpg?crop=1707,1707,x485,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676218715689","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rebellious"},{"teacherId":10244327,"projectId":9689406,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students participated in a hands-on simulation that made the concept of gerrymandering real and understandable. Students wore red and blue pinnies to represent voters, while classmates acted as redistricting officials using ropes to redraw district boundaries. As we moved through balanced, packed, and cracked scenarios, students could immediately see how changing district lines altered outcomes, even when the total number of voters stayed the same. Watching those shifts happen in real time helped an abstract idea make sense.\r\n\r\nStudents were genuinely excited when the materials were introduced and eager to jump into the activity. Many commented that this was the first time gerrymandering truly made sense to them, and the physical movement and role-playing kept everyone engaged. Students who are sometimes quieter in traditional lessons participated confidently, asked thoughtful questions, and reacted strongly to scenarios they felt were unfair. The energy in the room reflected the effectiveness of hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nAfter the simulation, students were able to discuss and write about gerrymandering with greater clarity and confidence. They referenced the activity directly when explaining packing and cracking, and were eager to share their reactions to how unfair certain maps felt, having seen the impact firsthand. The lesson led to thoughtful, honest discussion about representation and who gets power in a democracy. Thank you for making this hands-on learning experience possible and for helping my students develop a clearer, more meaningful understanding of representation and fairness in a democracy.","fullyFundedDate":1757779136209,"projectUrl":"project/drawing-the-lines-a-hands-on-lesson-on/9689406/","projectTitle":"Drawing the Lines: A Hands-On Lesson on Gerrymandering","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. von Topel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10244327"},{"teacherId":10305998,"projectId":9809256,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kindness. The coloring pencils have been key for my students, across multiple content areas. They use them all the time & I have started leaving them where they can be easily accessed. They really do enjoy the pencils. \r\nThe color-coded organizing bins have been key to staying organized! Right now, they're helping us manage the information that has been shared about life after high school & what to expect. The students are able to quickly access the information that they need! \r\nThe books have been an absolute delight. Several were featured for Indigenous American Heritage month. My students were blown away by the information that they learned! My students who are planning to pursue careers related to biology, nature, & conservation in particular were over the moon! Other students who have been impacted by issues related to immigration or differences in who they are were soothed to read books written by people who have been where they are right now. \r\nThank you, thank you, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1761148004456,"projectUrl":"project/reading-rainbow-20/9809256/","projectTitle":"Reading Rainbow 2.0","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10305998_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760202555456","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10305998"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60037","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":900,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":26,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":36,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"9 - 9","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":60.9,"schoolId":60037,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alexandria City High School - M Howard on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alexandria City High School - M Howard","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/alexandria-city-public-school-district/minnie-howard-school/60037"}