{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Aspen Ridge Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":45.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2593640,"projectId":9591761,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project and for helping bring a new smart TV into our classroom. This upgrade has made an immediate and meaningful impact on how my students engage with learning. We have been using the smart TV to view and interact with high-quality educational videos, including lessons on the Earth, Moon, and Sun system. Students can now clearly see detailed visuals and hear narration without strain—something that simply wasn't possible with our old projector, which was dim and too quiet for effective whole-class instruction.\r\n\r\nThe improved clarity and sound have significantly increased student focus and enthusiasm, allowing me to hold their attention and deepen their understanding during lessons. An added benefit has been the ability for students to speak directly into the remote to search for additional information related to their projects, encouraging curiosity, independence, and meaningful inquiry. Your generosity has truly transformed our learning environment, and my students are benefiting every day because of your support. Thank you for investing in our classroom and in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1761937180566,"projectUrl":"project/clearer-vision-for-all-learners/9591761/","projectTitle":"Clearer Vision for All Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ahola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2593640_orig.jpg?crop=2509,2509,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668800610342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2593640"},{"teacherId":2461357,"projectId":9791490,"letterContent":"Your support means so much to my students and me. The students have loved our new robot pencil sharpener. It is amazing! You put it in with a gentle touch and it grabs a hold of the pencil and does all the work. When it's done sharpening it pushes it back up! No overworking of the machine. It's been perfection. Not one problem with overuse or jamming. I cannot recommend it enough! We also love the handy handheld vacuum for every day clean ups of Goldfish and paper scraps. The kids are highly motivated to help out, which in turn makes our custodial staff very pleased. Thank you for donating to our project to make these classroom tools a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1762825727011,"projectUrl":"project/odds-and-ends/9791490/","projectTitle":"Odds and Ends!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Belpedio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2461357_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759579244956","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-belpedio"},{"teacherId":6975179,"projectId":9752846,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support of our classroom project. Thanks to your prompt and overwhelming generosity, we have successfully reached our funding goal and are thrilled to announce that our wobble stools are officially here!\r\n\r\nIt is difficult to put into words the excitement the students and I feel. This project—to bring flexible seating options into our learning environment—was more than just about furniture; it was about acknowledging and supporting how young people truly learn. You saw our vision and immediately stepped up to make it a reality.\r\n\r\nFor many students, sitting still is a genuine challenge. That need for movement isn't a distraction; it's a critical component of attention and engagement. Traditional desks force a static posture that often leads to fidgeting, shifting, or simply tuning out.\r\n\r\nThe wobble stools change this dynamic completely. They allow students to engage in natural, subtle movements—a slight rocking, pivoting, or leaning—while keeping their brains focused on the lesson. By allowing their bodies to move, we unlock their ability to concentrate on the task at hand. You haven't just bought us stools; you've bought us an increase in student focus, a reduction in restless behavior, and a more comfortable, productive learning day.\r\n\r\nThis change is only possible because you chose to invest in our children's future. Every single dollar contributed has translated directly into tangible tools that enhance the educational experience in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being a champion for our students. Your generosity will have a lasting, positive impact on every student who passes through our classroom doors this year and for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758903634361,"projectUrl":"project/the-wobble-y-path-to-success/9752846/","projectTitle":"The \"Wobble-y\" Path to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Doney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6975179_orig.jpg?crop=1179,1179,x0,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739559633655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6975179"},{"teacherId":2299750,"projectId":9761838,"letterContent":"We are sending a massive, heartfelt thank you for your incredibly generous support! The new wireless color printer you funded is already making a huge difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThis is much more than just a printer—it's a critical tool for our STEM and science projects! Being able to print in vibrant color allows us to create high-quality, engaging materials, like full-color diagrams of cells, circuit schematics, and detailed maps that bring abstract concepts to life. Plus, the wireless functionality keeps the learning flexible and fast.\r\n\r\nThank you for directly investing in a more visually engaging and hands-on science curriculum. Your support helps us make learning exciting and efficient every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1758888480447,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-in-full-color/9761838/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas in Full Color!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Head","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2299750_orig.jpg?crop=1136,1136,x568,y432&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574786405249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/head"},{"teacherId":2299750,"projectId":9334387,"letterContent":"We wanted to send a big thank you for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom! Your support helped us get two essential items that are already making a positive impact: privacy folders and much-needed printer ink.\r\n\r\nThe new privacy folders have been fantastic! They give every student a focused, distraction-free space to concentrate on their assignments and build confidence during independent work.\r\n\r\nAnd thank goodness for the printer ink! It keeps our entire classroom running smoothly, allowing us to print important worksheets, instructional materials, and notes without delay.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in both our students' concentration and the critical supplies that make our daily learning flow easy and efficient. We are so grateful for your thoughtful support!","fullyFundedDate":1754057569884,"projectUrl":"project/privacy-please-and-a-little-ink/9334387/","projectTitle":"Privacy, Please! (and a Little Ink)","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Head","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2299750_orig.jpg?crop=1136,1136,x568,y432&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574786405249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/head"},{"teacherId":2461357,"projectId":9767352,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for helping me to provide these materials to my students. The third of these bookshelves has made a big improvement to our room. Our old shelf was falling apart and baskets of books were constantly toppling over. The kids were great with picking up, but it was always a problem and took away from reading time. Now, the kids can easily see the titles of all of the books. They can spin the bookshelves with ease, quickly find a book they are interested in, and get reading! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of my students this year and for years to come. You are difference makers!","fullyFundedDate":1759581793935,"projectUrl":"project/one-last-spin/9767352/","projectTitle":"One Last Spin!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Belpedio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2461357_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759579244956","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-belpedio"},{"teacherId":9840205,"projectId":9300127,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous contributions to our classroom. Your support has made it possible for us to purchase much-needed bookshelves and headphones, creating a more organized and engaging learning environment for our students. These resources are already making a positive difference, helping students to focus better and access materials more easily.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and investment in our classroom truly mean the world to us. Because of your generosity, our students have a more inviting space that encourages both learning and creativity. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us provide the best possible experience for every child.","fullyFundedDate":1746785358727,"projectUrl":"project/bookshelves-and-headphones/9300127/","projectTitle":"Bookshelves and Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Helgren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9840205_orig.jpg?crop=1721,1721,x185,y432&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732373907986","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9840205"},{"teacherId":1573614,"projectId":9299601,"letterContent":"I was so excited when my DonorsChoose project was funded and equally excited to share the new items with my students. I loved the looks on their faces as our packages arrived and we opened them up. Their looks were even better when they were able to buy these items during our class store time.\r\n\r\nWith your help, we were able to turn my classroom into a more engaging place. Funding for classrooms has been very limited in the last few years, so without your help my students would not have this wonderful opportunity available to them. Although many of the rewards in our store are non-monetary such as coupons for 'Stinky Feet Day' or 'Pajama Day' small items and trinkets are very popular.\r\n\r\nIt is wonderful to see so much support for my vision. I love that so many caring people support education, classrooms and teachers. I am amazed by the generosity of others. Thanks again for donating to my classroom, current students, and many more future students. Your donation is a blessing and will be appreciated for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1747063615227,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-store-encourage-financial-lite/9299601/","projectTitle":"Classroom Store Encourage Financial Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Marta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1573614_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600264278522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-marta"},{"teacherId":1573614,"projectId":9277535,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your donation to our classroom! The students are loving the new books added to our library.\r\n\r\nOne goal of mine as an educator is to instill a passion for reading in my students. It is very important that they are able to find the book that will make them a lifelong reader. Our library has over 25 'Book Recommendation Menus' that allow children to find books similar to others they may have read. With this project I was able to add over 25 new nonfiction books to our classroom library.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your donation! You have made our classroom library a great place to be.","fullyFundedDate":1754183079253,"projectUrl":"project/every-child-is-a-reader/9277535/","projectTitle":"Every Child Is a Reader!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Marta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1573614_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600264278522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-marta"},{"teacherId":1573614,"projectId":9221298,"letterContent":"I was so excited when my DonorsChoose project was funded and equally excited to share the news with my students. I love getting new resources and materials for my students. They get so excited!\r\n\r\nWith your help, we were able to turn my classroom into a more engaging place. Funding for classrooms has been very limited in the last few years, so without your help my students would not have this wonderful new resource. The Apple TV helps to get students excited about learning and engaged in classroom activities. I am able to integrate technology seamlessly into my every day lesson plans. We use the Apple TV during language arts, science, math, social studies, and spelling.\r\n\r\nIt is wonderful to see so much support for my vision. I love that so many caring people support education, classrooms and teachers. I am amazed by the generosity of others. Thanks again for donating to my classroom, current students, and many more future students. Your donation is a blessing and will be appreciated for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1744122825205,"projectUrl":"project/an-apple-for-the-teacher/9221298/","projectTitle":"An Apple for the Teacher","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Marta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1573614_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600264278522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-marta"},{"teacherId":2367930,"projectId":9277451,"letterContent":"It is hard to believe our school year is in full swing and we are half way through the first marking period. I have already taken about 20 birthday pictures of our students and gifted their picture to them to take home thanks to donors like you. \r\nThank you so much for your donations toward our Cannon Selphy Camera. The student's faces light up when I bring them their printed birthday picture. The quality of the prints is very good! The word is definitely out about the new birthday camera in the computer lab. \r\nWe appreciate all of you so very much and your investment in to our students. \r\nWe are very grateful to you and your continued support.","fullyFundedDate":1746541997150,"projectUrl":"project/its-your-birthday-strike-a-pose/9277451/","projectTitle":"It's Your Birthday! Strike a Pose!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Talsma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2367930_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524509101463","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/talsma"},{"teacherId":2461357,"projectId":9591051,"letterContent":"Your donations to our project has allowed me to better organize and display the chapter books in our classroom library.\r\n\r\nBook titles are visible and the students can easily reach the shelves. Even better, the shelves spin smoothly allowing them to shop for books to fill their personal book boxes. Next up for this project, I will create labels to better help the students to choose best fit books for their independent reading practice.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a difference in the lives of my students. We are so grateful to you.","fullyFundedDate":1755735035333,"projectUrl":"project/you-spin-me-right-round/9591051/","projectTitle":"You Spin Me Right Round!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Belpedio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2461357_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759579244956","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-belpedio"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71120","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":800,"numTeachers":54,"percentFrplEligible":40,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":94,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.3,"schoolId":71120,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Aspen Ridge Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Aspen Ridge Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/nice-community-school-district/aspen-ridge-elementary-school/71120"}
Join the 1,327 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Aspen Ridge Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Ishpeming, Michigan that is part of Nice Community School District.
It serves 800 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.8:1.
Its teachers have had 459 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Aspen Ridge Elementary School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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.
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
0%
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.
Aspen Ridge Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 3, 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.
Aspen Ridge Elementary School
$291,198
raised using DonorsChoose
459
projects
funded
45
teachers
funded
1,327
donors
19
projects
for
basic supplies
108
projects for
technology
62
projects for
books
11
projects
for
art supplies
Aspen Ridge Elementary School has received support from
720 individuals from Michigan and
607 individuals out-of-state.