{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":53.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1034382,"projectId":8936667,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kindness and generosity in helping to supply my classroom. After months of effort and planning—feeling like a first-year teacher all over again—I'm finally starting to feel comfortable with the Building Thinking Classroom model.\r\n\r\nEvery day, my students work in cooperative groups, engaging deeply with mathematical concepts. Just yesterday, my algebra students began the hour multiplying simple expressions like 2x and 3x. By the end, they had reasoned through (4x+7)(2x^2-8x+3) entirely on their own through discovery and teamwork. This incredible class period was made possible, in part, by your generosity, which provided Dr. Liljedahl's book and our much-needed dry erase markers.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students experience the excitement of exploring mathematics!","fullyFundedDate":1735141732995,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-thinking-math-classroom/8936667/","projectTitle":"Building a Thinking Math Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Peters","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1034382_orig.jpg?crop=646,646,x76,y31&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1619711748951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1034382"},{"teacherId":346339,"projectId":8939265,"letterContent":"I can't begin to tell you how these materials have improved our learning so far this year. Nothing makes science more memorable than labs, especially the labs that have fire or explosions. We use mossy zinc and hydrochloric acid to create an explosive demo! During our Physical and Chemical Change unit, we observe and write physical properties of them. Then we mix them together and observe the chemical changes occuring. As the reaction occurs, it produces a gas, (hydrogen), which we capture in a balloon. After the balloon is full, we light it with a match (from far away) to create a fireball. The students remember this demo for the rest of their lives, and I allow them to record it on their phones. Students post it to their \"reels\" or \"stories\" when they get home. That's how you know they are excited about science. . . When they post it to their social media accounts. 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South Middle School

Join the 569 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

South Middle School is a rural public school in Joplin, Missouri that is part of Joplin Schools. It serves 597 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.6:1. Its teachers have had 245 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

597 Students

44 Teachers

900 E 50th St

Joplin, MO 64804 View local requests

http://www.joplinschools.org

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

South Middle School Teachers 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.

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South Middle School Demographics

47%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

15%

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.

South Middle 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.

South Middle School

$121,246

raised using DonorsChoose

245

projects funded

teachers funded

569

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

South Middle School has received support from 263 individuals from Missouri and 306 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

South Middle School

About this school

Equity Focus School

South Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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South Middle School Demographics

South Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

South Middle School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.