{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Higher Ground Academy","outOfStateSupporters":36.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10289388,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Small Tools, Big Learning\" project! Your generosity has brought fun, useful resources into our classroom and has already made learning more engaging for my students.\r\nMy students were so excited to see the new materials arrive. The colorful neon sign and classroom supplies have helped make our room feel even more welcoming, while the large digital clock gives students an easy way to practice time and stay aware of our daily routines. The ukulele has also added a creative element to our classroom, giving us opportunities to incorporate music, movement, and joy into our learning.\r\n\r\nThe small classroom supplies, including the dry erase erasers and cap erasers, may seem simple, but they make a big difference during everyday lessons. Students can participate more easily in hands-on activities, practice skills on their whiteboards, and quickly make corrections without wasting instructional time. The treats have also been a wonderful way to celebrate students and encourage them as they work hard.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources help create a classroom where students feel excited to participate, explore, and learn. Our next steps are to continue using these materials during our daily lessons and build more opportunities for students to learn through creativity, collaboration, and hands-on activities.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping make our classroom a place where even the smallest tools can make a big impact!","fullyFundedDate":1785336076431,"projectUrl":"project/small-tools-big-learning/10289388/","projectTitle":"Small Tools, Big Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9779809,"projectId":10357018,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Ready to Go Outdoor Activity Pack.\" We are very grateful for your kindness. These materials help my students learn outside in a fun and active way. They use them for outdoor games, nature activities, and teamwork lessons.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were very excited. They smiled, asked questions, and wanted to use them right away. It was wonderful to see them happy and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nNext, we will keep using the activity pack during our lessons. Students are excited to have the responsibility of carrying the pack. This helps them practice being responsible while they learn outdoors. Thank you again for helping give my students a special way to learn and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1784839343272,"projectUrl":"project/readytogo-outdoor-activity-pack/10357018/","projectTitle":"Ready‑to‑Go Outdoor Activity Pack","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jeramie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9779809_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730170211996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9779809"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10337825,"letterContent":"This project has helped create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable classroom where my students feel excited and ready to learn each day. The new classroom resources have made our learning space more organized, inviting, and student-friendly. When my students first saw the new materials, they were excited to explore them and immediately noticed how much brighter and more comfortable our classroom felt.\r\n\r\nWe use these resources throughout the school day during independent work, reading activities, and classroom routines. The cozy and welcoming environment has encouraged students to feel more comfortable participating, collaborating, and taking pride in our classroom. Our next step is to continue building a positive classroom community while helping students stay engaged, confident, and motivated as they work toward their learning goals.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping make our students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1787687903220,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-warm-and-welcoming-classroom/10337825/","projectTitle":"Creating a Warm and Welcoming Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9223120,"projectId":9329226,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my 3rd grade classroom through this DonorsChoose project! The coil binding machine has already made a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nI have used it to bind our quarterly activities and learning materials, keeping student work organized, secure, and accessible throughout the year. It has also been especially helpful for creating differentiated workbooks for students who are new to the country and just learning English and for students who need additional support. Having their activities collected in one durable workbook makes it easier for them to stay organized, work independently, and see their progress.\r\n\r\nThis project has helped us turn everyday learning materials into resources that feel more special and purposeful. My 3rd grade students take pride in their work, and having their own organized booklets gives them a greater sense of ownership and accomplishment. Thank you for helping make learning more engaging, organized, and meaningful for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1746785620299,"projectUrl":"project/bring-creativity-to-life-for-3rd-graders/9329226/","projectTitle":"Bring Creativity to Life for 3rd Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jo Feria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9223120_orig.jpg?crop=963,963,x222,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709684396634","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9223120"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10337807,"letterContent":"Learning to Lead: An iPad for Teacher Development — Describe the Impact\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting \"Learning to Lead: An iPad for Teacher Development.\" Your generosity has given me a valuable tool to grow as an educator and bring new ideas, resources, and learning experiences into my classroom.\r\nI use the iPad to research teaching strategies, access professional development, create engaging lessons, find educational resources, and reflect on ways to better meet my students' needs. Having this technology at my fingertips allows me to continue learning and improving my teaching practice while making lessons more interactive and meaningful for my students.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite classroom moments has been seeing my students become more engaged when I introduce a new activity or resource that I discovered through my professional learning. Their excitement, questions, and willingness to participate remind me why continuing to grow as a teacher is so important. When I learn something new, my students benefit from it too.\r\n\r\nThis project has encouraged me to become more intentional about using technology to support student learning. I am excited to continue developing my skills in creating engaging, differentiated lessons that reach students with different learning styles and needs.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I am excited to explore new ways to strengthen student engagement, creativity, and critical thinking. I look forward to bringing those new strategies into upcoming lessons and continuing to grow alongside my students.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my professional growth and, ultimately, in the success of my students. Your support is helping me become a stronger teacher and creating new opportunities for my students to learn, grow, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1785336076642,"projectUrl":"project/learning-to-lead-an-ipad-for-teacher-de/10337807/","projectTitle":"Learning to Lead: An iPad for Teacher Development","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10340509,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting \"Clean Classrooms, Ready Learners.\" Your generosity has helped create a cleaner, more organized, and welcoming classroom where my students can focus on learning and feel proud of their space.\r\nMy students are using the new cleaning and organization resources as part of our daily classroom routines. Together, we clean tables and shared areas, organize materials, and make sure our learning space is ready for the next activity. When the materials first arrived, my students were excited to see them and eager to help. They enjoyed taking responsibility for keeping our classroom neat and learning that everyone has a role in caring for our shared space.\r\n\r\nOne special moment has been watching students work together at the end of an activity to clean up and organize the classroom. What might seem like a small routine has become an opportunity to teach responsibility, teamwork, independence, and respect for our learning environment.\r\n\r\nA clean and organized classroom also helps students feel more prepared to learn. With fewer distractions and materials easier to find, we can spend more time on instruction, hands-on activities, reading, writing, and math. Students are learning that taking care of their environment is an important part of being a successful learner.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building these positive habits while working on our current lessons and classroom projects. We will keep practicing responsibility, teamwork, and organization as we prepare for new learning challenges.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and our classroom. Your generosity has helped create a space where students can feel comfortable, focused, and ready to learn. Because of you, our classroom is not only cleaner—it is a more positive and productive place for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1785336076499,"projectUrl":"project/clean-classrooms-ready-learners/10340509/","projectTitle":"Clean Classrooms, Ready Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10337819,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of \"Hands-On Math for Stronger Learning.\" As a teacher, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to provide my students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences because of your kindness. Your donation is doing much more than providing classroom materials—it is helping create opportunities for students to grow, explore, and believe in themselves.\r\n\r\nMath can sometimes feel challenging or intimidating for students, especially when concepts are introduced only through textbooks, worksheets, or lectures. With your support, my students are able to experience math in a more hands-on and interactive way. They can touch, build, measure, sort, count, experiment, and solve problems using materials that make abstract ideas easier to understand. These experiences help students see that math is something they can explore and enjoy.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest impacts I have seen is increased student engagement. When students have the opportunity to learn by doing, they are more excited to participate and more willing to take risks. They ask questions, share ideas, work together, and learn from their mistakes. Instead of being afraid of getting an answer wrong, students begin to understand that mistakes are an important part of learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity also helps students develop skills that go beyond math. Through hands-on activities, they practice communication, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. These are skills that will support them not only in the classroom but throughout their education and future lives.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation helps build student confidence. I have watched students who were once hesitant about math become proud of what they can accomplish. When a student successfully solves a problem, explains their thinking, or completes a challenging activity, that sense of accomplishment can make a lasting difference. Your support helps create those moments.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I am thankful to have the resources to make learning more engaging and accessible for my students. I know that every contribution represents someone choosing to invest in children and their future. Your generosity reminds my students that there are people who believe in their potential and want to see them succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping make \"Hands-On Math for Stronger Learning\" possible. Your support is helping students strengthen their math skills, become more confident learners, and discover that learning can be both challenging and fun.","fullyFundedDate":1785336076590,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-math-for-stronger-learning/10337819/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Math for Stronger Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10340533,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting \"The Power of a Writing Board.\" Your generosity has already made a meaningful difference in our classroom. My students are using the new writing boards every day for writing practice, spelling, math, brainstorming, and sharing their ideas.\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were excited to use them. They were eager to write, erase, try again, and show their classmates what they could do. The boards have made learning more interactive and have given every student a chance to participate.\r\n\r\nOne special moment has been watching students use the boards to work through a problem and proudly hold up their answers. They are learning that it is okay to make mistakes because they can simply erase, try a new strategy, and keep going. This has helped build their confidence and encouraged them to take more risks in their learning.\r\n\r\nThe writing boards also allow me to quickly see what each student understands. I can check their work, provide immediate feedback, and help students who may need additional support. Instead of waiting for a worksheet to be completed, I can see their thinking in the moment and adjust my instruction to meet their needs.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using the boards as we strengthen writing skills, practice spelling and vocabulary, solve math problems, and develop students' ability to explain their thinking. I am excited to see how students continue to grow in confidence, independence, and participation.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students a simple but powerful tool that makes learning more engaging and accessible. Thank you for investing in our classroom and helping my students discover that their ideas, answers, and voices matter. Your generosity is helping create a classroom where students feel excited to learn, comfortable making mistakes, and proud of their progress.","fullyFundedDate":1785334521355,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-a-writing-board/10340533/","projectTitle":"The Power of a Writing Board","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":2855146,"projectId":6249731,"letterContent":"Books open the door to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives that help young learners grow both academically and personally. In our first-grade classroom, books spark curiosity, build vocabulary, strengthen reading skills, and encourage students to ask questions about the world around them. Whether we are reading together during a read-aloud or students are exploring books independently, each story provides opportunities to develop comprehension, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading. Having a variety of engaging, age-appropriate books ensures that every child can discover stories that capture their interests and inspire them to become confident readers.\r\n\r\nThe impact of books extends far beyond literacy instruction. Stories help students build empathy by introducing them to different cultures, experiences, and emotions, while also teaching valuable lessons about kindness, perseverance, and friendship. A well-stocked classroom library creates a welcoming environment where every student feels represented and encouraged to explore. By providing access to high-quality books, we are giving children the tools to dream bigger, think critically, and develop the confidence to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1649362719215,"projectUrl":"project/building-fluent-readers/6249731/","projectTitle":"Building Fluent Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2855146"},{"teacherId":10481529,"projectId":10202443,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of sensory books for our kindergarten classroom. Your generosity has brought so much joy and excitement to our young learners.\r\n\r\nThe new sensory books help introduce important early literacy skills such as letter and word recognition, vocabulary development, listening, comprehension, and storytelling. The interactive textures and features also encourage students to explore with their senses, helping them stay engaged while building language and fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active and enjoyable experience. We read together during circle time, ask questions about the stories, make predictions, and encourage students to talk about the pictures and characters. During independent and small group reading, the sensory books invite children to touch, explore, and interact with the pages, making reading both fun and meaningful.\r\n\r\nSeveral of our students especially enjoy the new books, particularly those who learn best through hands-on experiences. Our emerging readers and students who benefit from sensory activities are more engaged, eager to participate, and excited to choose books during reading time. Seeing their smiles and growing confidence has been wonderful.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and generosity. Your support is helping foster a love of reading while giving our kindergarten students meaningful learning experiences they will remember.","fullyFundedDate":1779911937440,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-discoveries/10202443/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Discoveries","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Joe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10481529"},{"teacherId":10481529,"projectId":10206137,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! Your donation of numeracy materials, copy paper, and supplemental learning supplies has made a meaningful impact on our students' learning every day.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources during math centers, problem-solving activities, and writing lessons. One memorable moment was watching students work together to solve hands-on math challenges using the new materials, then proudly record and explain their thinking on the copy paper. Their confidence and excitement continue to grow with each activity.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, the students were thrilled! They were eager to explore the new materials and couldn't wait to use them during math and writing time. Their enthusiasm reminded us how much quality classroom resources inspire young learners.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our learning, these materials will support students as they strengthen their problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing skills through engaging math investigations, journal writing, and other hands-on activities. Your generosity is helping build a strong foundation for their future success.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their education. Your kindness is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1778584757003,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-that-shape-success/10206137/","projectTitle":"Supplies That Shape Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Joe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10481529"},{"teacherId":9746264,"projectId":10226873,"letterContent":"The \"Hands-On Phonics and Writing Tools to Build Confident Young Readers\" project has made a tremendous impact in my kindergarten classroom. The materials have provided my students with engaging, hands-on opportunities to practice phonics, letter formation, and early writing skills in meaningful ways.\r\nWith these tools, students are more motivated to participate during literacy centers and small-group instruction. They are developing stronger letter-sound recognition, improving their handwriting, and gaining confidence as emerging readers and writers. The interactive nature of the materials allows students to learn through exploration and practice, making literacy instruction both effective and enjoyable.\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students have access to resources that support different learning styles and help build a strong foundation for future academic success. Thank you for investing in my classroom and for helping my young learners become more confident, capable readers and writers each day.","fullyFundedDate":1779370491955,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-phonics-and-writing-tools-to-bu/10226873/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Phonics and Writing Tools to Build Confident Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746264_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776808284957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9746264"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68886","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1177,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":92,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"84.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.7,"schoolId":68886,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Higher Ground Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Higher Ground Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/minnesota-department-of-education/higher-ground-academy/68886"}