{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Aki Kurose Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":25.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9651461,"projectId":9639886,"letterContent":"Throughout the year, these atlases have been invaluable in the educational journey of my students. \r\n\r\nStudents have been able to anchor their learning in place and space thanks to this incredible resource. Geographic skills like using a scale, compass, and key were put into practice in productive and impactful ways with these atlases. Further, students created maps of their own invented countries, placed somewhere in the real world that they learned about through this support. \r\n\r\nOverall, my students' geographic skills and understanding have greatly benefited from this terrific resource.","fullyFundedDate":1756253880901,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-atlases-for-6th-graders-to-exp/9639886/","projectTitle":"Classroom Atlases for 6th Graders to Explore the World","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Wilch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9651461_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723509242321","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-wilch"},{"teacherId":9651461,"projectId":9639741,"letterContent":"Throughout the year, these supplies have been invaluable in the educational journey of my students. \r\n\r\nStudents have had pencils to use everyday as they engage in thoughtful note-taking and analysis. Colored pencils helped them complete create projects focused on who has power in Ancient China and the first Black residents of Washington State. The cleanings supplies have ensured that students have a great environment to learn each day. \r\n\r\nOverall, the supplies have been a critical part of the daily learning of 170 middle school students. These students, like all students, deserve high-quality, new materials and you helped to make sure they had that this year.","fullyFundedDate":1756182894656,"projectUrl":"project/quill-supplies-to-ignite-a-year-of-learn/9639741/","projectTitle":"Quill Supplies to Ignite a Year of Learning and Growing","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Wilch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9651461_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723509242321","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-wilch"},{"teacherId":9605202,"projectId":9882833,"letterContent":"Before this project, many of my students were sharing calculators or going without one entirely. In an 8th grade math class, that small gap makes a big difference. Since receiving these calculators, I've seen a real shift in how my students approach math.\r\n\r\nThe calculators help students focus on understanding the math instead of getting stuck on long calculations. Students are more willing to try problems, check their work, and talk through their thinking. Math feels less overwhelming, and participation has increased because students feel more confident in their answers.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is simply having their own calculator to use consistently. For some students, this is the first time they've had reliable access to one. It makes them feel prepared and capable, like they belong in a math classroom and have the tools they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nI've noticed particular growth in students who previously struggled or shut down during independent work. With calculators, they are more persistent and less afraid of making mistakes. Being able to check their work gives them reassurance and encourages them to keep going instead of giving up.\r\n\r\nThis donation has made my classroom more equitable and supportive. It removed a barrier that many of my students face and allowed them to focus on learning rather than what they lack. Thank you for investing in my students and helping them build confidence in math.","fullyFundedDate":1764284721023,"projectUrl":"project/simple-calculators-for-a-title-1-school/9882833/","projectTitle":"Simple Calculators for a TITLE 1 School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahmed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9605202"},{"teacherId":9605202,"projectId":9633758,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Snacks to Keep Kids Moving!\" The snacks you donated are already making a meaningful difference in my classroom and in my students' ability to learn and stay focused.\r\n\r\nWe use the snacks daily and intentionally. Many of my students come to school having missed breakfast, and others share that there wasn't enough food at lunch. When students are hungry, it's difficult for them to concentrate or stay engaged. Having snacks available allows students to quietly grab something when they need it so they can refocus and fully participate in class.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the snacks, they were genuinely happy and excited. Several asked if they could have snacks every day, and some immediately started planning which ones they liked most. There was a lot of smiling, thank yous, and excitement so much so that I had a brief \"uh oh\" moment wondering how long they would last! That excitement quickly turned into appreciation once students realized the snacks were there to support them when they really needed it.\r\n\r\nOne moment that stands out was during a challenging math lesson. A student who often struggles to stay focused when hungry grabbed a snack at the start of class and stayed engaged the entire period. They completed their work, participated in discussion, and even helped a classmate. That small support made a noticeable difference in their learning that day.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have helped create a more caring and supportive classroom environment. Students know their basic needs matter, which helps them stay present and persevere through difficult tasks.\r\n\r\nAs we continue working through challenging math concepts, students are more prepared to focus, collaborate, and problem-solve because they aren't distracted by hunger. Thank you for your generosity and for helping remove a barrier to learning that so many of my students face.","fullyFundedDate":1758817542804,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-to-keep-kids-moving/9633758/","projectTitle":"Snacks to Keep Kids Moving!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahmed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9605202"},{"teacherId":10202912,"projectId":9827215,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw that the prize bin was restocked with more squishy toys and candy. Our \"Payne Cash\" system has been a huge motivator for my students so far this year. \r\nThis restock also provided some much needed cleaning supplies to keep our classroom safe and healthy! \r\n\r\nThis school year, a big goal that I have is to emphasize teamwork in my classroom. I started the year by teaching students about growth mindset and the benefits of collaboration. It has been an expectation throughout the year that students work with their table groups on almost all assignments. This earns them group points, which are converted to Payne Cash, that can be used to purchase the wonderful prizes that have been funded by this project! \r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting my classroom. It really means so much to me and my students!","fullyFundedDate":1760658878950,"projectUrl":"project/7th-grade-math-classroom-restock/9827215/","projectTitle":"7th Grade Math Classroom Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Payne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10202912_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755724287648","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10202912"},{"teacherId":8364451,"projectId":9840662,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose! Because of you, my students will have the tools they need to learn, create, and stay engaged every day. The Miracle-Gro kit will help bring hands-on science lessons to life, while the pencil sharpener ensures students are always prepared to work. The colored pencils and markers will give students the opportunity to express their creativity and enhance their learning across subjects. Your kindness and support truly make a difference for my students, and we are so grateful for your investment in our classroom. Thank you for helping make learning more exciting and meaningful!","fullyFundedDate":1762701759814,"projectUrl":"project/give-my-students-supplies-for-science/9840662/","projectTitle":"Give My Students Supplies for Science!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hotchkin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hotchkin"},{"teacherId":8364451,"projectId":9788444,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Because of you, my students will be able to explore science and learning in hands-on, meaningful ways. The Miracle-Gro kit will help us learn about plant growth and responsibility, the bacteria petri dishes will allow students to observe and better understand the world of microorganisms, and the pencils will ensure everyone has the basic tools they need to succeed each day. Your kindness and support truly make a difference, and my students and I are incredibly grateful for your investment in our learning. Thank you for helping make these opportunities possible!","fullyFundedDate":1761580718270,"projectUrl":"project/my-students-need-science-supplies/9788444/","projectTitle":"My Students Need Science Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hotchkin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hotchkin"},{"teacherId":8671120,"projectId":9306689,"letterContent":"Thank you for the stools and headphones you generously donated to our classroom. Your support has already made a noticeable difference for our students.\r\n\r\nThe headphones have help students focus during writing time, listening to read-alouds or audiobooks, and practice language skills independently. It has also cut down on background noise so small‑group instruction can happen without interruption.\r\n\r\nThe stools provide flexible seating that increases comfort and concentration—especially during collaborative projects and hands‑on activities—so students engage more fully.\r\n\r\nWhat excites the students most is the independence these items give them. With headphones they can work at their own pace and revisit lessons as needed. The stools let them choose how they work best, which makes learning feel more student‑centered and enjoyable.\r\n\r\nA few students, in particular, have shown big improvements. Learners who are easily distracted are completing listening tasks with greater confidence using the headphones. Students with sensory or attention needs are staying on task longer with the alternative seating. Language learners are also benefiting by replaying audio supports which boosts their comprehension and participation. Students who struggle with emotional regulation and those who are going through difficult times also greatly appreciate the calming qualities of music!","fullyFundedDate":1747081811186,"projectUrl":"project/music-fueling-our-souls-and-our-writing/9306689/","projectTitle":"Music: Fueling Our Souls and Our Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Coats","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8671120_orig.jpg?crop=2000,2000,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734548744119","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/support-coats"},{"teacherId":9221551,"projectId":9521143,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom. The classroom set of atlases has been a gamechanger for my 6th graders. They have enjoyed exploring the world through actual printed maps instead of on their computers. Watching them create connections using geography has been amazing. \r\n\r\nThey used the atlases for their create-a-country projects where each student had to create their own country situated in an actual area of the world. They had to research location, climate, natural resources, and physical features found in that area and incorporate them into their maps. The atlases were integral for this project and students abilities to read maps and know where places are in the world grew tremendously. I have attached pictures of some of the amazing projects. \r\n\r\nWe are beginning our unit on emerging civilizations and students will be using the atlases to explore the geography of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and more to understand the impact that geography has on the development of civilizations.","fullyFundedDate":1756081015704,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-world-classroom-atlases-f/9521143/","projectTitle":"Exploring the World: Classroom Atlases for Curious 6th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Appel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221551_orig.png?crop=499,499,x3,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764691597141","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221551"},{"teacherId":10202912,"projectId":9633284,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping fund supplies to support my classroom at the start of this school year! My new group of students have loved the prizes they've received for earning \"Payne Cash\", the classroom currency I'm trying out this year to increase student engagement. So far, students have used the Payne Cash to purchase candy and toys that were funded by this project. Though I am surprised that no one has redeemed their cash for a homework pass! \r\n\r\nIn addition to prizes, I received 15 new calculators from this project. This means that students do not have to share calculators during tests like they had to last year. An amazing improvement! \r\n\r\nThank you again for your incredibly generous donation, I truly could not do this without you!!","fullyFundedDate":1756017992260,"projectUrl":"project/calculators-rewards-for-7th-grade-math/9633284/","projectTitle":"Calculators & Rewards for 7th Grade Math Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Payne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10202912_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755724287648","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10202912"},{"teacherId":9595559,"projectId":9661885,"letterContent":"My 6th grade science students and I want to sincerely thank you for providing the health bar materials for our metabolism unit. Your generosity allowed students to apply their knowledge in a fun, hands-on way. They absolutely loved experimenting with different ingredients and flavors to test how nutrients affect energy and body function. The project brought the science of metabolism to life and sparked so much excitement and curiosity in the classroom. We're truly grateful for your support in helping students learn through creativity, teamwork, and real-world connections. Thank you for making science so engaging and memorable!","fullyFundedDate":1757644552298,"projectUrl":"project/science-health-bar-experiment/9661885/","projectTitle":"Science Health Bar Experiment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Qing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595559"},{"teacherId":9605202,"projectId":9633191,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for supporting my classroom and my students. Because of your generosity, we were able to receive a brand-new Post-it Brand Whiteboard and much-needed cleaning supplies. These materials may seem simple, but they've made an incredible difference in the way my students learn and in how our classroom feels each day. Teaching in an underserved school means we often have to make do with limited resources, so having a functional, high-quality whiteboard and fresh supplies has truly been a game changer for us.\r\n\r\nBefore this project, my old whiteboard was in rough shape. It was stained, uneven, and impossible to erase completely. Over time, no matter how many times I cleaned it, it stayed cloudy with leftover writing. That made it hard for students to see clearly during lessons—especially when we were solving multi-step equations or working through long examples. It might not sound like much, but for a math classroom, the whiteboard is the heartbeat of instruction. It's where we build understanding together, step by step. When it doesn't work properly, it affects every lesson.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our new Post-it Brand Whiteboard has completely transformed that experience. It's bright, clean, and easy to write on, and it erases beautifully every time. My students noticed the difference immediately. The first day they saw it, they cheered! One student shouted, \"It's so shiny, Ms. Ahmed!\" and another said, \"Now we can actually see!\" It brought so much joy to see how excited they were over something as simple as a clean, smooth surface to learn on. That excitement has carried into our daily lessons—they love coming up to the board to show their work, explain a strategy, or write out steps for the class.\r\n\r\nThe Post-it brand really lives up to its name. The board has become a reliable tool that supports collaboration and creativity. We've been using it to model equations, play review games, and work through group problems. I've also started having students use Post-it Notes to post their thinking around the room after we complete activities, turning our classroom walls into a space for shared learning. This has encouraged even my quieter students to participate since they can contribute their ideas visually and see that their thinking matters.\r\n\r\nThe cleaning supplies have been another huge help. They've allowed us to keep the board and our classroom in great condition, something that can be challenging when resources are limited. My students take pride in helping clean and organize the space, and that ownership has created a more positive and respectful environment. When the room is clean and materials work properly, students feel valued—and that sense of care translates directly into how they approach their learning.\r\n\r\nSince setting up the new board, we've been diving into multi-step algebra problems, group projects, and review sessions that depend heavily on visual explanation. The Post-it Brand Whiteboard has made it possible for all students to clearly follow along and for me to teach more effectively. I can break down complex concepts without worrying that my writing will fade or smear halfway through a problem. It's amazing how something that seems so small can have such a big impact on the overall quality of instruction.\r\n\r\nYour support has not only improved our classroom tools but also restored a sense of pride and excitement among my students. They see that people care about their education that they deserve high-quality materials and a space that supports their learning. For many of them, that message is just as meaningful as the resources themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. Your generosity and kindness have given my students a classroom that feels new, clean, and full of energy. Every day we use the Post-it Brand Whiteboard, I'm reminded of how much your donation has improved our learning environment. You've given us more than supplies—you've given my students confidence, motivation, and a renewed love for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1757607937776,"projectUrl":"project/basic-math-classroom-needs/9633191/","projectTitle":"Basic Math Classroom Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahmed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9605202"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_36021","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":818,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":22,"percentBlack":29,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.6,"schoolId":36021,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Aki Kurose Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Aki Kurose Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/district-one-seattle-public-schools/aki-kurose-middle-school/36021"}