{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":46.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9555764,"projectId":10301838,"letterContent":"The UV lights have made a wonderful difference in our windowless classroom. Without natural light or windows, our classroom can sometimes feel closed off from the outside world. Thanks to the generosity of our DonorsChoose supporters, we now have UV lights that have helped transform our learning space into a more engaging, colorful, and inviting environment. The lights have added a sense of excitement to our classroom and have given students a space that feels unique and special. Something as simple as changing the lighting has made our classroom feel more welcoming and has helped create an atmosphere where students are excited to come in and learn.\r\n\r\nThe UV lights have also become a creative tool that we can incorporate into our learning activities. Students are able to see classroom displays, artwork, and projects in a completely different way, which encourages curiosity and creativity. We have used the lights to make learning activities more interactive and memorable, giving students opportunities to explore concepts through hands-on experiences. The excitement that comes from turning on the UV lights often sparks conversations, questions, and engagement. Students enjoy seeing their work displayed under the lights, and it gives them a sense of pride and ownership over the classroom environment.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, the UV lights have helped change the feeling of our windowless classroom. A classroom is more than just four walls; it is a place where students should feel comfortable, inspired, and ready to learn. The lights have helped us create an environment that feels energetic and inviting rather than dark and enclosed. I have noticed students becoming excited about coming into the room and participating in activities that incorporate the lights. They have helped us create special moments of joy while still keeping learning at the center of what we do.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly thankful to the DonorsChoose donors who made this possible. Your generosity has helped turn a windowless classroom into a more vibrant and engaging learning environment. The UV lights are not simply classroom decorations—they have given my students another way to experience learning, express their creativity, and feel connected to the space where they spend so much of their day. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where my students can feel inspired, curious, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1786888893370,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-the-sun-into-our-windowless-cla/10301838/","projectTitle":"Bringing the Sun Into Our Windowless Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vennes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9555764_orig.jpg?crop=2045,2045,x7,y331&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764777799475","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/s-vennes"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_78795","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":249,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":52,"percentIndigenous":18,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":53.4,"schoolId":78795,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ponderosa Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/billings-school-district-2/ponderosa-elementary-school/78795"}
Join the 249 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ponderosa Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Billings, Montana that is part of Billings School District 2.
It serves 249 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.6:1.
Its teachers have had 64 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 5
249 Students
17 Teachers
4188 King Ave EContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
39%
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.
Ponderosa Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Sep 22, 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.
Ponderosa Elementary School
$26,037
raised using DonorsChoose
64
projects
funded
27
teachers
funded
249
donors
7
projects for
technology
10
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Ponderosa Elementary School has received support from
133 individuals from Montana and
116 individuals out-of-state.
