{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"J.L. Francis Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":315395,"projectId":9280721,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to bring this project to life! The kids absolutely loved it! They were able to begin troubleshooting why it wouldn't do what it should of done as well were excited when it did what it was supposed to. Welcome to Computer Science!\r\n\r\nThis project allowed all my students a better chance at learning code. Yes, they were disappointed they had to share but share so beautifully. (Guess I need another project for more of them now). The students each got their own sheet to color according to a specific code and watch the Ozobot Evo follow it. The students learned that even the slightest mistake will cause the Evo to make a new plan.\r\n\r\nThank you again so much for the support of this project!","fullyFundedDate":1755737749382,"projectUrl":"project/ozobot-evo-tiny-robot-big-learning/9280721/","projectTitle":"Ozobot Evo: Tiny Robot, Big Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Demlein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp315395_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x0,y473&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629248630577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissademlein"},{"teacherId":7469399,"projectId":9312409,"letterContent":"When my students walked into the classroom and saw the brand-new laptop stands, bookshelf, and storage bins, their faces lit up with excitement. They immediately noticed how organized and comfortable the room felt, and several shared how much easier it was to find and use their materials. These donations have truly transformed our space, giving students a sense of pride and ownership in their classroom.\r\n\r\nSince then, these resources have become an essential part of our daily routine. The laptop stands help students work more comfortably and with better focus, while the bookshelf keeps our growing collection of books accessible and inviting. The storage bins bring order to our supplies, helping students stay organized and confident as they learn. Even these simple changes have made a big difference in creating a smoother, more engaging learning environment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're excited to continue using these resources as we dive deeper into writing journals, math practice, and reading activities. Having the right tools and an organized classroom allows students to focus on learning instead of distractions. Your support didn't just provide classroom items—it created a space where my students can feel comfortable, motivated, and ready to succeed every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746786329180,"projectUrl":"project/smart-space-smart-learning/9312409/","projectTitle":"Smart Space, Smart Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7469399_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598096191037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mssydnor"},{"teacherId":7469399,"projectId":9311984,"letterContent":"When my students walked into the classroom and saw the brand-new essentials—headphones, notebooks, folders, erasers, and name tags—they were so excited. They immediately began using their materials, and several shared how much they loved having their very own supplies to help them stay organized and ready to learn. The sense of pride and ownership these essentials brought has truly made a difference in how students feel about their learning space.\r\n\r\nSince then, these resources have become an important part of our daily routine. The headphones help students focus during independent work, while the notebooks and folders keep their learning organized across subjects. Even the simple things, like name tags and erasers, give students confidence and structure, allowing them to feel prepared and engaged in their lessons.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're eager to continue putting these supplies to good use as we dive deeper into our current projects and lessons. Right now, students are working on writing journals, math practice, and reading activities, and having the right tools makes it easier for them to succeed. Your support didn't just provide essentials—it gave students the resources and confidence they need to thrive every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785237063,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-for-bright-minds/9311984/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials for Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7469399_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598096191037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mssydnor"},{"teacherId":7469399,"projectId":9311855,"letterContent":"When my students walked into the classroom for the first time after the decorations were added, their faces instantly lit up with excitement. They couldn't stop saying how beautiful the classroom looked, and several even mentioned how much more inviting it felt. The warm, cheerful atmosphere you helped create has truly transformed our learning space into a place where my students feel proud to learn every day.\r\n\r\nSince then, the new resources and decorations have been an important part of how we use our classroom. The organized and colorful displays keep students engaged, and the welcoming environment makes it easier for them to stay focused and motivated. It's amazing how something as simple as decorations can inspire students to take ownership of their learning space and feel a greater sense of belonging in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're excited to continue using this beautiful space as the backdrop for our future lessons and projects, and the environment is helping them feel more creative and encouraged to share their ideas. Your support didn't just decorate a classroom—it created a safe, inspiring space where students can grow, collaborate, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1746786380764,"projectUrl":"project/designing-our-dream-classroom/9311855/","projectTitle":"Designing Our Dream Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7469399_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598096191037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mssydnor"},{"teacherId":6148067,"projectId":8753161,"letterContent":"We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the generous donors who contributed school supplies to our students. Your kindness and support have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners, helping to set them up for success this school year.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, our students are better prepared, more confident, and excited to learn. Your generosity is a powerful reminder of the positive impact a caring community can have on education.\r\n\r\nThank you tremendously for investing in our future!","fullyFundedDate":1730405331908,"projectUrl":"project/merging-math-and-literacy/8753161/","projectTitle":"Merging Math and Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K. Anderson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6148067_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1544808576563","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6148067"},{"teacherId":9241099,"projectId":8967570,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations. You have enabled this School Social Worker to provide additional therapeutic services to this school. \r\n\r\nI have used the wide screen computer monitor to complete required documentation more efficiently since I have to have multiple screens open as I pull data from numerous sources. Thus allowing me to spend more time with students rather than on paperwork.\r\n\r\nI have used the cooperative games in my social-emotional learning groups already for third and second grade. I have used the baby dolls, play kitchen set and doctor kit to build rapport with numerous students in kindergarten through second grade, and I have been able to explore basic needs at their home. \r\n\r\nThe doll house has been a huge hit! It enabled me to do play therapy with a third grader who was experienced traumatic events.","fullyFundedDate":1733231812890,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-therapeutic-space/8967570/","projectTitle":"Creating a Therapeutic Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peacock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9241099"},{"teacherId":7469399,"projectId":8895892,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project. I started this project so that I could help my students focus and add some decorations so my students have a welcoming classroom everyday. As soon as the students came in they were in awe. Some comments were: \"It's so beautiful in here\", \"We have a rainbow classroom now!\", and \"Now my eyes don't hurt when I'm doing my work\". Because of your donations I was able to give my students a nice place to go. I was able to turn my basic reading corner into a calm place to read. Since my class has a lot of big feelings, I also created a calm down corner, many students have gone over to help them reset. Thank you so much for helping my class.","fullyFundedDate":1733328252197,"projectUrl":"project/beautify-the-classroom/8895892/","projectTitle":"Beautify the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7469399_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598096191037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mssydnor"},{"teacherId":9708558,"projectId":8741557,"letterContent":"the excitement in the classroom was palpable when the students first saw the wobble stools, and their reactions were priceless! They were absolutely thrilled, clapping their hands and even jumping up and down with joy. \r\n\r\nSince then, the wobble stools have become an essential part of our daily routine, they are used daily by my wonderful K-3 reading intervention students. They use the stools to keep their bodies moving while they engage in reading activities. The gentle rocking helps them stay focused and energized, allowing them to concentrate better on the task at hand. Whether they're practicing phonics, reading aloud, or writing, the wobble stools give them the freedom to shift and move, which helps reduce restlessness and keep their minds sharp.\r\n\r\nThe stools have made a big difference, allowing students to participate more actively and feel empowered in their learning. It's been wonderful to see how much more engaged and confident they are in their reading skills thanks to these thoughtful additions to our classroom. I am so grateful to each of you who have made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1733328248678,"projectUrl":"project/wobble-into-reading/8741557/","projectTitle":"Wobble into Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9708558_orig.jpg?crop=1123,1123,x0,y78&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724941216138","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9708558"},{"teacherId":589578,"projectId":8454986,"letterContent":"We've been using the new resources to support students in all four language domains—listening, reading, writing, and speaking. For example, in a recent project, students analyzed a text on a current event. They first listened to a podcast related to the topic, then read the article, discussed it in groups, and presented their findings. This helped them build listening comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking skills. When they first saw the materials, students were excited and eager to engage. They appreciated how the activities made learning more interactive and accessible. Moving forward, they'll apply these skills in a unit on persuasive writing, using the vocabulary and structures they've practiced. Peer review sessions will allow them to further refine their speaking and listening abilities. The impact of these resources has been significant—students are more confident, engaged, and actively participating in class. I'm grateful to our donors for providing the tools that are helping my students succeed academically and thrive in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1724873861772,"projectUrl":"project/language-leap-forward/8454986/","projectTitle":"Language Leap Forward","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Escutia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/589578"},{"teacherId":7721020,"projectId":8683751,"letterContent":"My students are very appreciative of all of the classroom supplies that we received. Students who were not able to bring in all of their school supplies at the beginning of the school year were able to use the composition notebooks, pencil pouches, and highlighters. During small groups and teacher stations students are able to use the clipboards and highlighters as they're completing their work. They also love the bright colors of them as well. I have students who still struggle with writing their letters correctly, and having uppercase and lowercase letter posters on the classroom wall is a great resource for them to be able to constantly look back at. Students are looking forward to using the dice especially in math when we're playing review games. \r\n\r\nWhen I showed students the fidgets and all the other items that they can use and earn throughout the year they were thrilled. Being able to look forward to receiving something other than verbal praise encourages students to want to do more or perform better. They love all the options and the hardest part is deciding which item to pick. \r\nThank you again for donating to my classroom and students!","fullyFundedDate":1726856541697,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-supplies/8683751/","projectTitle":"Classroom Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7721020"},{"teacherId":7469399,"projectId":5795124,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. My students were so excited to have a way to organize their things with the boxes. They could keep their things together without having to put everything in their desk. They also enjoyed the the pocket charts and the rack. With the pocket charts being on the rack the students are able to access them during stations and calendar time. My students love helping add the date to the calendar every morning. They also love station time because I give them a 100 chart challenge to see how fast they can fill in the chart. Again thank you so much for helping my students.","fullyFundedDate":1631225476408,"projectUrl":"project/new-beginnings/5795124/","projectTitle":"New Beginnings","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7469399_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598096191037","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mssydnor"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34954","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":526,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":37,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":55,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":60.5,"schoolId":34954,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about J.L. 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Join the 1,536 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
J.L. Francis Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Richmond, Virginia that is part of Richmond Public School Dist.
It serves 526 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.0:1.
Its teachers have had 620 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
92%
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.
J.L. Francis 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.
J.L. Francis Elementary School
$236,918
raised using DonorsChoose
620
projects
funded
102
teachers
funded
1,536
donors
71
projects
for
basic supplies
37
projects for
technology
50
projects for
books
22
projects
for
art supplies
J.L. Francis Elementary School has received support from
930 individuals from Virginia and
606 individuals out-of-state.