{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Tombaugh Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7391256,"projectId":6703417,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a vibrant Book Nook—a cozy, inviting space filled with new, engaging books that are already making a powerful difference in the lives of my students.\r\n\r\nReading in our room has been completely transformed. Before, students were limited in their choices. Now, they eagerly dive into a wide variety of genres, authors, and topics—from graphic novels and poetry to nonfiction biographies and culturally diverse stories. Every day during independent reading time, our classroom is filled with the quiet hum of page-turning, excited whispers about plot twists, and students recommending books to each other like seasoned librarians.\r\n\r\nThe books you helped provide are not just entertaining—they're teaching critical thinking, empathy, and academic skills. We use them to discuss character motivation, make inferences, identify themes, and build vocabulary. Many of the texts are tied to our reading standards, but even more importantly, they open up space for meaningful conversations and personal connections.\r\n\r\nOne of my students, who previously struggled to engage with reading, has fallen in love with a new series you helped fund. He now begs for a few extra minutes of reading time each day. Another student, a quiet and thoughtful girl, shared that she \"finally found a book where the character thinks like me.\" These moments are why your donation matters.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students access to stories that challenge them, comfort them, and spark their imaginations. You've helped build more than a Book Nook—you've helped build a culture of joyful, purposeful reading.","fullyFundedDate":1660696072012,"projectUrl":"project/reading-made-fun/6703417/","projectTitle":"Reading Made Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tingen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7391256"},{"teacherId":3706692,"projectId":8938562,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in sponsoring my Focus on the Stars project! The fifth graders were super happy to learn that the project had been funded. They were able to experiment with different types of lenses, learn about uses for concave and convex lenses, and of course, design and build their own telescopes! \r\n\r\nDuring our lessons, students asked questions, worked with partners and learned about basic physics properties, such as what happens when two lenses are used together to bend, or refract, light. The information they researched came to life when the supplies were passed out. I explained that the type of lenses the Donor's Choose sponsors contributed are usually only seen in secondary classrooms. \r\n\r\nThe students worked carefully with the materials, shared ideas with classmates, and used our elementary engineering design process to design a telescope. The classroom was filled with enthusiastic science chatter. The photos tell the story of how hands-on learning impacts young scholars. My teacher's heart is bursting with joy!","fullyFundedDate":1735589356182,"projectUrl":"project/focus-on-the-stars/8938562/","projectTitle":"Focus on the stars!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turietta-Huber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3706692_orig.jpg?crop=439,439,x0,y45&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706053586769","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3706692"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55155","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":600,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":56.9,"schoolId":55155,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Tombaugh Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Tombaugh Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-mexico/las-cruces-public-schools/tombaugh-elementary-school/55155"}

Tombaugh Elementary School

Join the 137 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Tombaugh Elementary School is a suburban public school in Las Cruces, New Mexico that is part of Las Cruces Public Schools. It serves 600 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1. Its teachers have had 36 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

600 Students

42 Teachers

226 Carver Rd

Las Cruces, NM 88005 View local requests

http://www.lcps.net/elementary-schools/

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

Tombaugh Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Tombaugh Elementary School Demographics

87%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

86%

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.

Tombaugh Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 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.

Tombaugh Elementary School

$14,096

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

137

donors

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

Tombaugh Elementary School has received support from 78 individuals from New Mexico and 59 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.

Tombaugh Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Tombaugh Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Share & help us grow support

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Tombaugh Elementary School Demographics

Tombaugh Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

Tombaugh Elementary School

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