{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"College Oaks Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2943970,"projectId":9523996,"letterContent":"This project has transformed my K–5 library into a lively, hands-on learning space where literacy and STEM come together beautifully. When my students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate and contagious—wide eyes, eager hands, and a chorus of \"Can we build now?!\" The STEM kits turned our traditional read-aloud time into an immersive makerspace experience. Instead of just listening to fairy tales, students were busy building houses for the Three Little Pigs, testing their designs, and watching stories come alive through their own creativity.\r\n\r\nThe kits have enriched the way students interact with books. By linking storytelling with engineering challenges, even my youngest learners gained a stronger understanding of both literacy and STEM concepts. The hands-on design process helped students who struggle with abstract ideas finally \"get it,\" because they could build, test, fail, and try again. That cycle of persistence strengthened their confidence and taught them that mistakes are part of learning. For many of the students, this was their first time experiencing high-quality STEM materials, and it opened the door for them to see themselves as problem-solvers and creators. \r\n\r\nLooking ahead, this project has sparked new possibilities for future lessons. My next step is to extend these activities into additional fairy tales and maybe even student-created stories, allowing them to design solutions for characters and problems they imagine themselves. This project was just the beginning, and it has laid the groundwork for even more meaningful, hands-on learning in our library.","fullyFundedDate":1755868032394,"projectUrl":"project/more-than-fairy-tales-hands-on-stem-for/9523996/","projectTitle":"More Than Fairy Tales: Hands-On STEM for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2943970_orig.png?crop=900,900,x0,y312&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744849400500","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2943970"},{"teacherId":2943970,"projectId":9205280,"letterContent":"The kindergartners are super-excited to begin their journey to becoming \"shoe-tying superstars!\" Tying shoes is a tricky milestone that takes patience, coordination, and perseverance. Having enough lacing shoes for every child means that all the students can practice together, turning what used to be a frustrating task into a fun and empowering classroom activity. Instead of waiting for a turn, each child now has their own shoe in hand, giving them the chance to learn at their own pace and feel the excitement of mastering a real-world skill.\r\nBeyond learning to tie shoes, these wooden lacing shoes are strengthening fine motor skills, building focus, and giving students practice with the kind of step-by-step thinking that supports success in reading, writing, and problem-solving. Each time they succeed, their confidence grows—and that confidence spills over into how they tackle new challenges: head-on, with determination! I've also noticed collaboration blooming, as students encourage each other, celebrate victories, and share little \"tricks\" they're discovering along the way.\r\nThese wooden shoes with laces are teaching so much more than tying—they're building independence, patience, and pride. Best of all, they're giving students the joy of knowing they can do something important all by themselves. That's HUGE for little learners, and these skills will carry over into every part of their school day and beyond.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us take this important step—literally!","fullyFundedDate":1746472472103,"projectUrl":"project/step-into-success-help-little-hands-le/9205280/","projectTitle":"Step into Success - Help Little Hands Learn to Tie","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2943970_orig.png?crop=900,900,x0,y312&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744849400500","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2943970"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_15706","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":288,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":66,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":69.2,"schoolId":15706,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about College Oaks Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"College Oaks Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/louisiana/calcasieu-parish-public-school/college-oaks-elementary-school/15706"}
Join the 65 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
College Oaks Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Lake Charles, Louisiana that is part of Calcasieu Parish Public School.
It serves 288 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.9:1.
Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
72%
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.
College Oaks Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
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.
College Oaks Elementary School
$9,206
raised using DonorsChoose
10
projects
funded
5
teachers
funded
65
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project
for
art supplies
College Oaks Elementary School has received support from
45 individuals from Louisiana and
20 individuals out-of-state.