{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillis Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8346524,"projectId":9442070,"letterContent":"Thank you SO much for funding our sensory sanctuary! Our old sensory room was not serving the needs of our students in the slightest. This new, beautiful, functional, and purposeful room is full of materials that allow our students to engage in calming and regulation strategies. At the beginning of the year, we were able to introduce the sanctuary to our students and their faces were priceless. Students were in awe and so excited to have regulation spaces that met their needs. \r\n\r\nOne of our students requests the sensory room at least twice per day to interact with the sand. Another student loves spending his sensory time in the sensory pod swing. When students have extra energy they need to release before learning, they are able to use the liquid tiles and stepping stones. Other fan favorites in our sensory room include the light table, jelly fish lamp, and tiles of different patterns. \r\n\r\nAs a special education teacher, I cannot thank you enough for the donations to make this space possible. I am filled with gratitude each and every day, seeing how this space makes an impact on our students. My students deserve a dedicated space that serves their unique needs well and encourages them to be their authentic selves. I will forever appreciate your generosity in providing the materials to fill this space for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1754353440124,"projectUrl":"project/the-sensory-sanctuary/9442070/","projectTitle":"The Sensory Sanctuary","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hadaway","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8346524_orig.jpg?crop=427,427,x0,y106&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646081134024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8346524"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51891","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":279,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":36,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.2,"schoolId":51891,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillis Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillis Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/hillis-elementary-school/51891"}
Join the 38 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Hillis Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Des Moines, Iowa that is part of Des Moines Public Schools.
It serves 279 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.0:1.
Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
53%
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.
Hillis Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 11, 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.
Hillis Elementary School
$6,512
raised using DonorsChoose
16
projects
funded
7
teachers
funded
38
donors
2
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
Hillis Elementary School has received support from
24 individuals from Iowa and
14 individuals out-of-state.
