{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillis Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.8,"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"},{"teacherId":9156296,"projectId":8557463,"letterContent":"My students have been absolutely loving the morning STEM Bins. Each morning during breakfast the students are having positive interactions, working together and using their imagination as they create together. I had one student who made something and asked me to send a picture to his dad. I sent it to his dad and his father responded saying that this led to a very sentimental moment with his son that \"doesn't happen very often.\" I have had parents tell me that they child asks to get to school right on time so they have more time to build. \r\n\r\nThese toys have also been used by all of 3rd grade and 1st grade. Our in-door recess has shifted and the first and third graders are together in the library during this time. My students suggested that we bring our STEM toys down for recess and students from both grades have greatly enjoyed these toys. \r\n\r\nI have seen students using problem solving skills and their imagination while creating with these toys. Your donations have made such an incredible impact not only in our classroom, but in our school as well. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to my students'.","fullyFundedDate":1726843325811,"projectUrl":"project/stem-morning-bins/8557463/","projectTitle":"Stem Morning Bins","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lowe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9156296_orig.jpg?crop=2382,2382,x948,y474&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722955766520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9156296"}],"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":62.2,"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 37 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 15 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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 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.
Hillis Elementary School
$6,069
raised using DonorsChoose
15
projects
funded
6
teachers
funded
37
donors
1
project for
technology
3
projects for
books
Hillis Elementary School has received support from
23 individuals from Iowa and
14 individuals out-of-state.