Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ferris High School","outOfStateSupporters":21.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4960491,"projectId":9922048,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our community service project, Hands Making Hearts, Hearts Making Change: Kindness You Can Hold! Your support made it possible for our ceramics students to spend January creating hundreds of small trinket dishes and magnets to give away around the school on February 12th as a lead-in to our celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Week. As students worked, they learned a great deal about production work, including how to repeat a form efficiently while still maintaining a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. They took real pride in the process of refining their pieces, glazing them carefully, and making sure each item was something they would be excited to give away.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, students were immediately energized by the idea that their work would leave the classroom and become something meaningful for others. Knowing that their creations would be shared with the school community helped them approach the project with a sense of purpose. It was especially rewarding to see their reactions when they realized just how many pieces they were capable of producing together and how beautiful those pieces looked once they were finished and ready to share.\r\n\r\nDuring the week of the giveaway, our ceramics students were even featured on the school's weekly news show. Some students handed dishes and magnets directly to unsuspecting classmates, and we also partnered with English teachers who helped hide pieces around their classrooms so that discovering them truly felt like a random act of kindness. The response from students across the school was wonderful. From comments like \"This really felt like a little bit of random joy,\" to \"These dishes are so professional-looking and cute!\" It was a meaningful reminder for our artists that their creativity can make a difference in someone else's day.\r\n\r\nNow that students have experienced how their artwork can connect with the broader community, we are building on that momentum in our current projects. Many are continuing to explore how functional ceramic pieces can carry messages, emotions, and acts of generosity beyond the classroom. They are beginning new projects that experiment with surface design and glazing techniques while thinking about how the objects they create might again be shared with others.\r\n\r\nThank you again to the Allstate Foundation for helping make this experience possible. Your generosity allowed our students not only to learn new skills, but also to use their creativity to spread kindness throughout our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1764868568737,"projectUrl":"project/hands-making-hearts-hearts-making-chang/9922048/","projectTitle":"Hands Making Hearts, Hearts Making Change: Kindness You Can Hold!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herold","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4960491_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510873128727","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-herold"},{"teacherId":4960491,"projectId":9693773,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of glaze materials for my ceramics classroom. Your support made it possible for my students to participate in a STEM-focused exploration centered on the chemistry of fluxes and their role in glaze behavior. This was an experience that would not have been possible without access to a wider range of materials.\r\n\r\nStudents began by applying the fluxing glaze on its own to observe its stability and surface qualities (see the first picture). From there, they combined the donated glazes and fluxes with other glazes in our studio to create layered tests, carefully documenting how a glaze designed as a fluxing agent could alter melting, movement, and interaction between materials. This hands-on experimentation helped students connect abstract scientific concepts such as melting points, chemical reactions, and material interactions to visible, tangible results in their own work.\r\n\r\nI deeply appreciate your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1757514948145,"projectUrl":"project/the-science-of-glazing-understanding-pi/9693773/","projectTitle":"The Science of Glazing: Understanding Pigments and Fluxes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herold","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4960491_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510873128727","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-herold"},{"teacherId":4960491,"projectId":9143935,"letterContent":"Thank you SO MUCH for the generous donation of Gelli plates, silk screens, and ceramic inks to our ceramics classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your support, my ceramics students were able to explore printing directly on clay slabs. This is an experience that would not have been possible otherwise, as these specialized inks are quite expensive.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students gathered around the boxes with curiosity and excitement. Many of them had never seen Gelli plates or silk screens used in a ceramics setting before, and there was a lot of enthusiastic discussion about patterns, layers, and color choices. \r\n\r\nEach student began the project by printing on an approximately 5 x 8 clay slab. They explored a variety of transfer methods, including Gelli plates, stencils, and silk screens, learning how pressure, layering, and negative space affect the final design. After printing, students cut out their desired shapes either freehand or by using cookie cutters or craft foam templates. They then used molds and forms to shape their slabs into finished objects such as coasters, ornaments, pendants, plates, bowls, trinket dishes, trivets, and more. One especially memorable moment was watching students compare their prints side by side and proudly point out how small changes in technique led to completely different results.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, students carefully refined their forms by cleaning edges and preparing their pieces for firing and glazing. A fellow teacher commented that the work looked really professional, which made them so proud. Students reflected on their design choices and documented their process, building both technical skill and artistic confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1741371387964,"projectUrl":"project/printing-on-clay/9143935/","projectTitle":"Printing on Clay","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herold","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4960491_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510873128727","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-herold"},{"teacherId":3625156,"projectId":9281757,"letterContent":"Please accept our profound thanks for your generous contribution to Ferris Manuafcturing, specifically for funding a presentation laptop for our engineering students.\r\n\r\nThis critical piece of technology will significantly enhance our students' ability to effectively communicate their complex ideas and projects in academic and professional settings. From capstone presentations to research symposiums, this laptop will be an invaluable resource, enabling high-quality, impactful delivery of their work.\r\n\r\nYour investment directly supports the professional development and success of our emerging engineers. We are truly grateful for your partnership in equipping them for future achievements.","fullyFundedDate":1747248943450,"projectUrl":"project/engineering-class-requires-a-good-comput/9281757/","projectTitle":"Engineering Class Requires a Good Computer","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gillespie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3625156_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534253910311","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/trigman72"},{"teacherId":3625156,"projectId":9134054,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your truly impactful donation to Ferris Manufacturing! Your generosity has made it possible for us to acquire the robotic STEM kits, and we are incredibly excited about the learning opportunities they will provide.\r\n\r\nThese kits are more than just toys; they are powerful tools that will allow students to engage directly with the principles of engineering, coding, and design. Imagine the lightbulb moments when a student successfully programs their first robot, or the collaborative problem-solving as they work together to overcome a challenge. Your support directly creates these valuable experiences.\r\n\r\nWe believe these kits will inspire a new generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers, and it's all thanks to your commitment to empowering young minds. We are so grateful for your partnership in making a real difference.","fullyFundedDate":1741109701619,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-students-in-stem-with-robotic-a/9134054/","projectTitle":"Engaging Students in STEM with Robotic Arms","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gillespie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3625156_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534253910311","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/trigman72"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_36612","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1660,"numTeachers":90,"percentFrplEligible":47,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":65,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":78.6,"schoolId":36612,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ferris High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ferris High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/spokane-public-schools/joel-e-ferris-high-school/36612"}

About this school

Ferris High School is an urban public school in Spokane, Washington that is part of Spokane Public Schools. It serves 1,660 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.4:1. Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

1,660 Students

90 Teachers

3020 E 37th Ave

Spokane, WA 99223 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Ferris High School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Ferris High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mr. Gillespie

Mrs. Herold

Ms. Lewis

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Ferris High School Demographics

47%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

17%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Ferris High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Mar 17, 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.