{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ward Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":542316,"projectId":9760046,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous contributions to our project. In the landscape of education in 2026, we know that a classroom is much more than just desks and chairs; it is a living ecosystem that must support the social, emotional, and academic needs of every child. Your support has allowed us to establish a dedicated, cozy group area that has instantly become the heart of our daily learning journey.\r\nWe are especially honored to acknowledge the support of The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation. Their commitment to \"teaching and trying\" has directly enabled us to innovate within our classroom. The beautiful new classroom rug and plush floor cushions now serve as a vital \"home base\" where my students gather several times each day. When the students first saw the materials, the reaction was pure excitement; many described the space as feeling like a \"second home,\" noting that the \"cozy corner\" made them feel safer and more focused.\r\nThis comfortable, intentional space has significantly improved student engagement during our morning meetings and collaborative lessons. Because of these materials, I have been able to implement more dynamic group activities and restorative circles that were previously difficult to facilitate. Looking ahead, we are moving into the collaborative research phase of our current science unit. Students will use the hub as a \"launchpad\" to organize into project teams and as a station for sensory-friendly research.\r\nYour kindness sends a powerful message to my students that their community believes in their potential. Thank you for making this 2026 school year a truly transformative and welcoming experience for every child who walks through our door.","fullyFundedDate":1758853694879,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-cube-for-self-regulation/9760046/","projectTitle":"Cozy Cube for Self-Regulation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tapia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp542316_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1502255568065","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c1bulldogs"},{"teacherId":542316,"projectId":9686271,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous contribution to our classroom environment. In the landscape of education in 2026, we know that a classroom is much more than just desks and chairs; it is a living ecosystem that must support the social, emotional, and academic needs of every child. Your gift has allowed us to establish a dedicated, cozy group area that has instantly become the focal point of our daily learning journey.\r\nBefore these additions, our transitions between lessons often felt scattered and lacked a sense of cohesion. Now, this inviting space serves as a vital \"home base\" where my students gather several times each day. Having a comfortable, intentional area for group activities has significantly improved student engagement during our morning meetings and collaborative lessons. When students feel physically comfortable and emotionally safe, their readiness to learn increases exponentially.\r\nBy providing the resources to create this \"hub,\" you have helped foster a profound sense of belonging. It is a place where we solve problems, share stories, and build the foundational skills of empathy and communication that these students will carry with them for a lifetime. Your kindness does more than just provide supplies—it sends a powerful message to my students that their community believes in their potential. Thank you for partnering with us to make this 2026 school year a truly transformative and welcoming experience for every child who walks through our door.","fullyFundedDate":1758826422946,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-circle-time/9686271/","projectTitle":"Cozy Circle Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tapia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp542316_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1502255568065","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c1bulldogs"},{"teacherId":755429,"projectId":9272215,"letterContent":"I could not thank you enough for funding this project. This project has so many activities for my students to use for many years to come. They can practice drawing their feelings under our cozy canopy. They can practice their fine motor skills using our new scissors. They can search for letters and put on puppet shows. \r\nMy absolute favorite moment from getting these resources are the puppet shows that go in my classroom! My students are having the best time with pretend play and letting their imaginations soar!\r\nThank you for allowing my students these opportunities for hands on learning! These resources have added so much to my classroom and my students are forever grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1746546546187,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-fun/9272215/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/755429"},{"teacherId":7499426,"projectId":9062122,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when the materials arrived. They got started right away building habitats for the animals. They had even more fun when I put them in the light table center.\r\nThe students are having great conversations about animals, their habitats and role playing being part of an animal family. Each day their creativity explodes with more advanced structures. They are also learning their shapes and colors with the materials.\r\nI'd love to add more sets to my classroom in the future. I appreciate your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1744032875276,"projectUrl":"project/creating-and-building-with-magna-tiles/9062122/","projectTitle":"Creating and Building with Magna-Tiles","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cook","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7499426"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_30318","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":557,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":88,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 7","studentTeacherRatio":"30.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":83.3,"schoolId":30318,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ward Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ward Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/downey-unified-school-district/ward-elementary-school/30318"}
Join the 233 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ward Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Downey, California that is part of Downey Unified School District.
It serves 557 students
in grades Pre-K - 7 with a student/teacher ratio of 30.9:1.
Its teachers have had 57 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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.
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
91%
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.
Ward Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 11, 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.
Ward Elementary School
$27,035
raised using DonorsChoose
57
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
233
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
Ward Elementary School has received support from
194 individuals from California and
39 individuals out-of-state.
