{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Salem Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":781678,"projectId":9607100,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Thanks to your kindness, my students now have access to wonderful new materials that are truly transforming their learning experience. Your contribution has made a meaningful difference, especially during our math and literacy activities, fostering a love of learning and helping each student reach their full potential.\r\nOne of the most exciting additions to our classroom is the set of math manipulatives. These hands-on tools have become essential for helping students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. With counters, base-ten blocks, pattern blocks, and other manipulatives, students are able to visualize and explore math problems in a tactile way. For example, they can physically group counters to practice addition and subtraction, build numbers with base-ten blocks to understand place value, or create patterns to recognize sequences and relationships. These manipulatives promote active engagement, allowing students to experiment with different strategies and discover solutions independently. As they manipulate these materials, they develop critical problem-solving skills, improve their understanding of mathematical relationships, and build confidence in their abilities. The manipulatives also encourage collaborative learning, as students often work together to solve problems and explain their thinking, fostering communication and teamwork.\r\nIn addition to our math tools, the new literacy supplies have greatly enhanced our small group reading and phonemic awareness sessions. During these small groups, students work closely with teachers and peers to strengthen their decoding, blending, and segmenting skills. The letter tiles, picture cards, and word games provided through your generosity make these sessions engaging and interactive. For example, students use letter tiles to build words, helping them connect sounds to written symbols, or use picture cards to identify beginning sounds and blend phonemes into words. These activities are vital for developing phonemic awareness—the foundation of strong reading skills—and they help students become confident, independent readers. The variety of resources allows us to tailor instruction to each student's needs, making learning both effective and enjoyable. As students practice these skills repeatedly in a fun and supportive environment, they gain confidence and become more eager to tackle new words and reading challenges.\r\nOverall, the new materials you provided are making a significant impact on our classroom environment. They are not only making learning more engaging and hands-on but also fostering essential skills that will serve students throughout their academic journeys. Your generosity has helped create a classroom where curiosity, exploration, and confidence thrive. I am truly grateful for your support, which directly benefits my students' educational growth and love of learning. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for making a difference in the lives of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1755388113926,"projectUrl":"project/academic-adventures/9607100/","projectTitle":"Academic Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hedley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp781678_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682546287357","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/781678"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34473","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":375,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":40,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":81,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":82.1,"schoolId":34473,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Salem Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Salem Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/salem-city-school-district/west-salem-elementary-school/34473"}
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Join the 39 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
West Salem Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Salem, Virginia that is part of Salem City School District.
It serves 375 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.9:1.
Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades Pre-K - 5
375 Students
27 Teachers
520 N Bruffey StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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.
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
14%
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.
West Salem Elementary 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.
West Salem Elementary School
$4,074
raised using DonorsChoose
9
projects
funded
7
teachers
funded
39
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
4
projects for
books
West Salem Elementary School has received support from
32 individuals from Virginia and
7 individuals out-of-state.