{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Houston Alternative School","outOfStateSupporters":null,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6261216,"projectId":9638983,"letterContent":"I want to extend a huge virtual hug!!! So elated! I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our \"Outdoor Oasis: Cultivating Learning Outside the Classroom Walls\" project funded through DonorsChoose. Your contributions have transformed our outdoor space into a vibrant oasis that promotes not just learning but also resilience and emotional well-being among my at-risk students. Since implementing this project, we have utilized the amazing resources you provided in countless enriching ways. One memorable afternoon, we gathered under the sturdy 10x10 ft gazebo, which has become a sanctuary for us. As we sat on our comfortable benches, the sun filtered through the leaves, casting delightful shadows around us. We were deeply engaged in a hands-on lesson about sensory plants, using the raised bed gardens and flowering pots filled with herbs and vegetables you helped us acquire. The students took turns planting, watering, and tending to their chosen plants, marveling at the textures, colors, and smells. They were fully immersed in the experience, which allowed them to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills while learning about growth cycles and the importance of nature.\r\n\r\nThe initial reaction of my students when they first saw the new materials was priceless. Their faces lit up with joy and excitement as they explored the gazebo and the benches. They immediately wanted to engage with the space, running to try out the corn hole and ring toss games, which have become popular outlets for both physical activity and social interaction. Watching them play and collaborate not only fosters friendly competition but also strengthens their social skills, something crucial for their emotional development. Moreover, when they found out this project was funded, my students told me they can't wait to dig their hands in the soil and plant flowers. They expressed excitement about nurturing the garden and watching it grow, saying it would be the first time they could see something they helped create flourish right in front of their eyes! Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it perfectly captured the joy and hope this outdoor oasis will bring, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to nature that is crucial for their emotional development. Your support has not only provided us with physical resources; it has created a nurturing learning environment that significantly enhances our social-emotional learning initiatives. The Growth Mindset Journals and Journal Prompts have been instrumental in guiding our reflections on challenges and achievements, enabling students to express their thoughts and feelings in a constructive manner. We've encouraged them to embrace challenges and build resilience through journaling and discussions, thus providing them with tools for lifelong growth.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next step is to integrate more structured activities into our outdoor lessons. We plan to develop themed gardening and nutritional projects that will tie into lessons on science and health. For instance, students will be involved in creating recipes using the herbs and vegetables they've grown, linking their practical gardening experience to academic learning. Additionally, we will have SEL-focused activities that promote mindfulness, allowing students to connect with their emotions and with each other even more deeply.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your incredible generosity. The impact of your contributions resonates through the joy and growth of my students, and I know that these experiences will foster not only their academic achievements but also their emotional resilience. I invite you to continue this journey with us as we nurture these young minds and hearts in our outdoor oasis. Your support has truly made a difference, and I look forward to sharing more stories of transformation and growth from our students.","fullyFundedDate":1757100777780,"projectUrl":"project/outdoor-oasis-cultivating-learning-out/9638983/","projectTitle":"Outdoor Oasis: Cultivating Learning Outside the Classroom Walls","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pratt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6261216_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1549989531460","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-pratt"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_124145","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":79,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":40,"percentWhite":48,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":null,"schoolId":124145,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Houston Alternative School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Houston Alternative School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/mississippi/chickasaw-county-consolidated-school-district/houston-alternative-school/124145"}
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About this school
Houston Alternative School is
a public school
in Houston, Mississippi that is part of Chickasaw County Consolidated School District.
Its teachers have had one project 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
47%
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.
Houston Alternative School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 15, 2026
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