{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Discovery Community Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6642561,"projectId":9191425,"letterContent":"First, I want to say thank you for your donation to our classroom! My students were so excited to start the new year off with opening up all the boxes. When they saw all the books inside the boxes, they instantly started checking out the new books as well as reading them! It was so fun seeing the excitement on their faces as many of them don't have books to read at home!\r\n\r\nSome of the ways I have used these new books in my classroom include using them as independent reading selections. Each week students get to select books from my classroom library to practice reading during reading rotations. Another way I have used them is in my small group teaching lessons. Each day I meet with small groups of students to build on their reading skills. These books have helped the students work on these skills as well!\r\n\r\nThank you with all our hearts for supporting our classroom and love of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1751911311232,"projectUrl":"project/getting-students-hooked-on-books/9191425/","projectTitle":"Getting Students Hooked on Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6642561_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1624815248776","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6642561"},{"teacherId":3237017,"projectId":9176698,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Discovery students! Your generosity helped make sure each child walked into their classroom with everything they needed to feel ready, confident, and cared for.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful parts of this project is watching former students take the lead in preparing the \"Back to School Toolkits.\" They carefully pack pencils, markers, crayons, glue, and folders—then add a handwritten note of encouragement. It's a full-circle moment: students giving back to younger learners, remembering how it felt to receive their own box just a year or two before.\r\n\r\nAt open house, the impact is immediate. Students walk in—some nervous, some quiet—and their eyes light up when they see their supply box. They read their note, look through their new materials, and you can just see the tension melt away. It's a powerful reminder of how much a simple act of care can mean to a child.\r\n\r\nYour support helps create that moment. It helps each student start their year with dignity, tools, and a sense of belonging. That matters so much.\r\n\r\nThank you again for being part of this community and making such a difference for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1746787196640,"projectUrl":"project/super-start-to-a-super-year-25-26/9176698/","projectTitle":"Super Start to a Super Year 25-26!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quimby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3237017_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467295912486","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/quimby"},{"teacherId":6642561,"projectId":9154453,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my classroom! My students were so excited to open up the boxes of new books. They started reading the books instantly. I have been reading some of the books out loud to the students to get them hooked on the series of books. This will help my students to build their love of reading.\r\n\r\nAnother way I have used these books is at independent reading times. Students are able to pick out books from my classroom library to read independently. This help them build their reading fluency as they become life long readers. \r\n\r\nWe are loving the new selections of books that help us on our reading journey!","fullyFundedDate":1743097157078,"projectUrl":"project/fun-and-engaging-beginning-chapter-books/9154453/","projectTitle":"Fun and Engaging Beginning Chapter Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6642561_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1624815248776","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6642561"},{"teacherId":7731989,"projectId":8802798,"letterContent":"Being a human is hard some days! And being a smaller human who is trying to learn so much and having your body start changing on you is harder. Thank you for helping me stock my grab what you need space in my room. Students have especially appreciated the band-aids, glass wipes, and chapsticks. \r\nWe have a system set up that lets students get what they need and keep their dignity. Families heard about it through their students and at conferences brought up some things we might want to add and offered some donations too. It's really become a community space. The reach has gone beyond my room too. Many 5th graders who I have taught before sneak into my 4th grade room to grab what they need. This has especially been a great space to keep feminine products for all to grab as my room is close to the 4th and 5th grade bathrooms. \r\nA huge thank you from my class and whole hallway! When basic needs are easily met we really can get to the learning and growing together.","fullyFundedDate":1733239363800,"projectUrl":"project/human-needs-period/8802798/","projectTitle":"Human Needs Period","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Walz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7731989_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611455101296","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7731989"},{"teacherId":3237017,"projectId":8472371,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generosity and support of my classroom! Thanks to your kindness, we now have essential supplies that will help keep our space organized, clean, and engaging for my students.\r\n\r\nThe printer stand has provided much-needed organization, ensuring that our materials are easily accessible. The disinfecting wipes and tissues have helped keep our classroom a healthy space for learning. The Play-Doh will bring creativity and hands-on fun to our activities, and the books have taught valuable lessons on kindness and standing up for others. Additionally, the snacks will help fuel my students so they can focus and learn. This has been especially useful when students arrive late and haven't had breakfast. \r\n\r\nYour donations truly make a difference, and I can't thank you enough for your generosity. My students and I appreciate you more than words can express!","fullyFundedDate":1731192923479,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-the-basics/8472371/","projectTitle":"Back To the Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quimby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3237017_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467295912486","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/quimby"},{"teacherId":3237019,"projectId":8601063,"letterContent":"My students are absolutely loving having these resources to use. My kindergarteners and first graders are using the play doh and rollers to do alphabet practice. My first, second and third graders are able to work quietly and independently using the STEM bins. They are showing creative thinking, problem solving skills and team work when they use these items. \r\n\r\nI cannot thank all the donors for the support you brought to my classroom! Your donations mean to much to me and my students. Thank you! 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Discovery Community Elementary School

Join the 529 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Discovery Community Elementary School is a suburban public school in Waite Park, Minnesota that is part of St Cloud Independent School District 742. It serves 572 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.9:1. Its teachers have had 212 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

572 Students

36 Teachers

700 7th St S

Waite Park, MN 56387 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Discovery Community Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Discovery Community Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

71%

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.

Discovery Community 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.

Discovery Community Elementary School

$88,039

raised using DonorsChoose

212

projects funded

teachers funded

529

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

Discovery Community Elementary School has received support from 373 individuals from Minnesota and 156 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Discovery Community Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Discovery Community Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Discovery Community Elementary School Demographics

Discovery Community Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Discovery Community Elementary School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.