{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Independent Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":7.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6694225,"projectId":9618399,"letterContent":"This year, our students love building and creating with blocks. One issue we ran into was that our students could not build their creations due to a lack of materials in the classroom. The STEM Building Toys were a huge hit in the classroom because the students were able to build unique structures, take pictures of them, and then were able to add on to their creations. Students were not limited to their creativity because of your donation of the STEM parts. \r\nWhen the package arrived, my students were excited to begin building with the STEM toys, but many were surprised that I also included a garden. Many of my kids had never built a garden before. So watching them build amazing creations was great to see. My students also enjoyed making underwater creations with their magnet tiles. \r\nOur students have really gotten into building and creating this year, which is awesome! You can see it in how excited they are about all the block activities we do. The biggest hurdle we initially ran into was not having enough different kinds of building materials in the classroom. That seriously put a damper on how big and cool their projects could get.\r\n\r\nBringing in those new STEM Building Toys was a total game-changer. They were a massive hit right away and totally changed the vibe of the classroom. Suddenly, the kids weren't just making simple stuff; they were building all sorts of intricate, unique, and complex creations. A really cool part of this was that they could snap pictures of their first builds. This let them look back, think critically about their work, and then—here's the best part—take it apart and rebuild it even better, adding tons of new complexity. The generous donation of the STEM parts completely removed the old limits, letting their creativity run wild!\r\n\r\nThe buzz when the package was about to arrive was huge, and when it finally showed up, the excitement was off the charts! They were so ready to dive into the STEM toys. What really threw them for a loop, though, was the unexpected addition of a garden kit! For many of them, this was their first time getting to build and actually nurture a garden. Watching them work together, solve problems, and just have pure fun constructing this unique living thing was incredibly rewarding for me as their teacher. This creative fun continued as they also loved using the magnet tiles to create elaborate and imaginative underwater scenes. It just shows how much potential there is when you combine different materials to bring their inventive ideas to life.\r\nOur next project is all about learning how to write. Please check out.","fullyFundedDate":1758215893864,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-tk-explore-learn-and-grow/9618399/","projectTitle":"Help Our TK Explore, Learn, and Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Seavers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6694225_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1569629947926","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6694225"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3770","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":661,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":28,"percentAsian":52,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":13,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"26.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":92.9,"schoolId":3770,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Independent Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Independent Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/castro-valley-unified-school-district/independent-elementary-school/3770"}
Join the 240 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Independent Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Castro Valley, California that is part of Castro Valley Unified School District.
It serves 661 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 26.4:1.
Its teachers have had 78 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades Pre-K - 5
661 Students
25 Teachers
21201 Independent School RdContact 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
70%
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.
Independent Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 10, 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.
Independent Elementary School
$52,978
raised using DonorsChoose
78
projects
funded
22
teachers
funded
240
donors
8
projects
for
basic supplies
9
projects for
technology
13
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Independent Elementary School has received support from
223 individuals from California and
17 individuals out-of-state.