{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"James Rutter Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":33.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7815978,"projectId":7342975,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our Greenhouse Fans project! This project has had an immediate and dramatic impact on our learning environment. When the students first saw the new circulation fans installed and running, they literally sighed with relief! Our greenhouse, especially during warmer months, previously became so hot and humid that it hindered plant growth and made detailed work almost impossible. Now, the regulated airflow has created a healthy, usable laboratory space, transforming the greenhouse from a stifling oven into a comfortable, dynamic classroom where we can stay and observe for longer periods.\r\n\r\nWe are actively using the fans to study environmental control and plant physiology, turning what was a simple ventilation solution into a deep lesson in engineering. The fans are now central to our current project on optimizing growing conditions. Students are tracking temperature and humidity differentials across the greenhouse, comparing the fan's automated cycling to manual venting, and collecting data on how air movement affects transpiration rates in different plant species. This hands-on application of physics and botany is allowing us to transition from merely growing plants to actively managing a controlled environment ecosystem.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are focused on taking our climate control studies to the next level: automation and sustainable design. The students are currently learning to wire and program a small microcontroller that will allow the fans and vents to turn on automatically based on sensor readings (temperature and humidity thresholds). This final step will apply advanced engineering principles and ensure our greenhouse maintains optimal, energy-efficient conditions year-round. Thank you for providing the essential foundation that allows us to explore these advanced, real-world scientific and technical concepts!","fullyFundedDate":1684287180415,"projectUrl":"project/greenhouse-fans/7342975/","projectTitle":"Greenhouse Fans","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Maples","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7815978_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y192&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1618523343686","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7815978"},{"teacherId":7815978,"projectId":7313144,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the impact of your generosity! Thank you so much for bringing the Middle School Rock Tumbler into our science classroom. When the large box arrived, the students were buzzing with excitement, and their curiosity was palpable as we loaded the first batch of rough stones into the tumbler. Now, as the tumbler hums away, it has become the focal point of our geology unit. Students check it daily, marveling at the gradual process of transformation. This hands-on resource is doing more than just polishing stones; it's teaching them about the power of abrasion, erosion, and geologic time in a way that textbooks simply cannot match, giving them a tangible connection to Earth science concepts.\r\n\r\nThis new tool has been a catalyst for deeper learning and discussion. By observing the stones transform from dull, rough fragments into shiny gems, the students are learning the value of patience and seeing firsthand how matter changes state over time. Our next steps involve the final stage of polishing! Once the rocks are complete, the students will use their finished specimens to create a \"Polished Mineral Identification Lab\" for younger students, applying their knowledge of the Mohs hardness scale and mineral properties to catalog the results. Thank you for giving our students this engaging, unique experience and helping us transform abstract science lessons into brilliant, hands-on discoveries.","fullyFundedDate":1683136105903,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-rock-tumbler/7313144/","projectTitle":"Middle School Rock Tumbler","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Maples","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7815978_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y192&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1618523343686","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7815978"},{"teacherId":7815978,"projectId":7313048,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous support of our Garden Storage project! Because of you, our outdoor classroom now has a sturdy, organized space to protect our essential tools and materials. The immediate impact was incredible: when the students arrived to see the new storage unit—and all our gardening tools, seeds, and gloves neatly organized and protected—they cheered! It wasn't just about the structure; it gave them a real sense of professionalism and ownership over our outdoor space. They immediately began discussing how to label everything and keep it tidy, recognizing that having a designated place for every item respects the value of our supplies.\r\n\r\nWe are already putting the storage to amazing use, significantly improving our class efficiency. Before, we often wasted valuable class time searching for misplaced or damp tools; now, everything is instantly accessible, dry, and ready for use. This efficiency allowed us to fully focus on our current big project: Designing a Pollinator Habitat. 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James Rutter Middle School

Join the 103 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

James Rutter Middle School is a suburban public school in Sacramento, California that is part of Elk Grove Unified School District. It serves 845 students in grades 7 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.4:1. Its teachers have had 34 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 7 - 8

845 Students

46 Teachers

7350 Palmer House Dr

Sacramento, CA 95828 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

James Rutter Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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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.

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James Rutter Middle School Demographics

94%

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.

James Rutter Middle 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.

James Rutter Middle School

$22,598

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

103

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

project for art supplies

James Rutter Middle School has received support from 69 individuals from California and 34 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.

James Rutter Middle School

About this school

Equity Focus School

James Rutter Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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James Rutter Middle School Demographics

James Rutter Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

James Rutter Middle School

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