{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cherokee Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":13.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10001424,"projectId":9260075,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant literary landscape where students dive deep into both fiction and nonfiction texts that spark curiosity and ignite imagination. The new books have introduced essential reading skills such as making text-to-world connections, analyzing author's purpose, developing critical thinking through evidence-based discussions, and building vocabulary through context clues. Students are learning to navigate different text structures, from chronological narratives in historical fiction to cause-and-effect relationships in science texts. Reading in our classroom has evolved into an interactive, collaborative experience where students engage in literature circles, participate in book talks, and create multimedia presentations that demonstrate their understanding. The magic happens when we see quiet students suddenly animated during discussions about a character's motivation, or when reluctant readers discover a nonfiction book about space exploration that keeps them reading through recess.\r\n\r\nWhat has been most remarkable is watching our students translate their learning into the real world through our diverse collection of nonfiction books, while simultaneously stretching their creative thinking through rich fictional narratives. Students have become young scientists, historians, and activists as they connect information from biographies and informational texts to current events and their own lives. Meanwhile, our fiction selections have transported them to different worlds, cultures, and time periods, fostering empathy and expanding their understanding of human experiences. One student, Marcus, who previously struggled with reading engagement, now arrives early to school to finish chapters about marine biology, often sharing fascinating facts with classmates. Another student, Elena, has been inspired by historical fiction to research her own family's immigration story, creating a beautiful presentation that bridged her reading with personal heritage. These books haven't just improved reading scores—they've created passionate, thoughtful learners who see reading as a gateway to understanding both the world around them and the limitless possibilities within their own imaginations.","fullyFundedDate":1748629794140,"projectUrl":"project/first-graders-learning-to-love-reading/9260075/","projectTitle":"First Graders Learning to Love Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Gerpen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10001424"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60140","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":672,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":6,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":73,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":86.2,"schoolId":60140,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Cherokee Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Cherokee Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/scottsdale-unified-school-district/cherokee-elementary-school/60140"}
Join the 29 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Cherokee Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Paradise Vly., Arizona that is part of Scottsdale Unified School District.
It serves 672 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.8:1.
Its teachers have had 18 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades Pre-K - 5
672 Students
40 Teachers
8801 N 56th StContact 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
22%
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.
Cherokee Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 8, 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.
Cherokee Elementary School
$12,561
raised using DonorsChoose
18
projects
funded
11
teachers
funded
29
donors
4
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
Cherokee Elementary School has received support from
25 individuals from Arizona and
4 individuals out-of-state.
