{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"American Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9814010,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to this project. It was called \"Fun Friday Choices for the Classroom\", but as it turns out, I have the fun centers out on Thursdays and Fridays. You see, this was an incentive for students to get their homework done on time (or early) for the week; then they can play at the center. Most have been getting their homework done by Wednesday so they get to playing!\r\n\r\nThe kids have a choice between two centers for their choices: an art center or an imaginative play center. This week, the two centers will be: arts and crafts (decorating a turkey) and a Kinetic Sand playset where the kids can make sand castles and pretend they are at the beach for the day. I am looking forward to the fun! Thanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1760734764642,"projectUrl":"project/fun-friday-choices-for-the-classroom/9814010/","projectTitle":"Fun Friday Choices for the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9814073,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to this project! This project has been so meaningful to my class. They have had the chance to play together and interact and just be kids! \r\n\r\nThe following are just some of the fun centers I have had out on the round table lately. The kids played with Play Doh, a Play Doh Fun Factory, and a Play Doh Barber Shop. Last week, it was a marble run and some magnetic blocks. These centers have been popular and fun. It is an incentive to play at the center if your homework is done for the week, so the amount of homework turned in on time (or early) has increased. Thanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1760737390232,"projectUrl":"project/imaginative-play-in-the-classroom/9814073/","projectTitle":"Imaginative Play in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9731186,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation to this project. I am always looking for the latest and greatest read alouds. Research says that reading aloud to students is very beneficial. In my class, reading aloud is a time where students can sit back and listen. They can also choose to draw a picture or work on a missing assignment as I read. The point is, it is their choice. \r\n\r\nThe students have loved my read aloud choices so far this year. I am hoping books from this project join my list of amazing read alouds. Thank you again for this donation!","fullyFundedDate":1760107371681,"projectUrl":"project/reading-aloud-my-very-favorite-thing/9731186/","projectTitle":"Reading Aloud: My Very Favorite Thing!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9731239,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to this project! This project was for books dedicated to history topics. The History Smashers series is like a Myth Busters for historical topics, debunking events that were thought to happen one way but actually happened another way! The other main books from this project are about a few of our most famous Presidents. They are graphic novels, so I know they will be popular choices in my classroom library.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom happens daily, and students have free choice. I am always hoping that they will make these nonfiction, fun choices; and so far, they have been a source of interest to the students. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1758836356669,"projectUrl":"project/making-history-come-alive-through-books/9731239/","projectTitle":"Making History Come Alive Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9571325,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation to this project. I will tell you what kind of impact these books have already made on my class.\r\n\r\nThey Called Us Enemy is a true story about a family at a Japanese Internment Camp during World War 2. I am looking forward to using this in our Social Studies curriculum later this year.\r\n\r\nChairs on Strike is a funny book about the chairs in a classroom going on strike because they are unappreciated. I have a great opinion piece writing project to go with this. The students have to convince the chairs to come back!\r\n\r\nTwo Tribes: I am reading this one right now during our Daily Independent Reading time block. It is about a girl whose dad is Native American and stepdad is Jewish, and she must navigate these two backgrounds. \r\n\r\nParachute Kids has been checked out of our classroom library multiple times so far this school year; looks like it is a popular choice!\r\n\r\nThanks for everything!","fullyFundedDate":1755789074871,"projectUrl":"project/donorschoose-featured-favorites-novels/9571325/","projectTitle":"DonorsChoose Featured Favorites Novels...and More!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":2546846,"projectId":9555531,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding our very first project of the new school year! This project was a mixture of items. Needed things (examples: bandaids, pencils) and not needed but fun things (air dry clay, rock painting project, etc.). \r\n\r\nI think a successful classroom is a mix of necessary curriculum, but also some levity and fun. Our box of 500 pre sharpened pencils has been utilized daily. It is burdensome and a waste of academic time to have students sharpen their own pencils. With these pencils, students can just get a new pencil and get to work! \r\n\r\nAnother necessary item was the bandaids. We got a couple of boxes of different sized bandaids, because cuts come in all shapes and sizes. One of our class jobs is \"nurse\". The students will lovingly help each other when they are cut or hurt. \r\n\r\nThe air dry clay was used to make Native American pinch pots to finish up our Native Californians unit. It was an enjoyable project. Thanks again for everything!","fullyFundedDate":1755730241740,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-this-year-going-2025-2026/9555531/","projectTitle":"Let's Get This Year Going! 2025-2026","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2546846_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450500223408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshall14"},{"teacherId":7944449,"projectId":9761596,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generous contribution of math games and incentive items will make a tremendous difference in the learning experiences of our students. With your support, we are able to create an engaging, hands-on environment that makes math exciting, interactive, and meaningful.\r\nThese math games will allow our students to practice important skills—like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and problem-solving—in a fun and collaborative way. By turning learning into a playful experience, students gain confidence in their abilities and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts. Your gift helps foster not only academic growth but also important social-emotional skills, such as teamwork, communication, patience, and celebrating each other's successes.","fullyFundedDate":1758851200207,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-fun/9761596/","projectTitle":"Classroom Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Juarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7944449"},{"teacherId":10039040,"projectId":9365774,"letterContent":"I want to start by sending my greatest thanks. Your donations have made such an impact in my classroom and on my students. From the start of school students were able to come into my class and acknowledge that they were in a welcoming environment well they felt safe and supported. \r\nOne of the biggest impacts has been the flexible seating and the manipulatives that students use. Students in this class love being able to sit outside of they typical desk chairs and find flexibility in their seating while learning. Not only have the students loved it, I also have as well. It has provided students with the opportunity to focus and get their wiggles out while remaining attentive to their work. \r\nAdditionally, all of the manipulatives donated have been used and shared amongst students creating bonds and relations within the classroom. Students are excited to share time with their friends and build and imagine together. \r\nWe are beyond grateful for you.","fullyFundedDate":1748748237883,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-classroom/9365774/","projectTitle":"First Grade Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Utt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039040"},{"teacherId":7944449,"projectId":9566468,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our DonorsChoose project! Because of your kindness, my 5th grade students now have their very own copies of Wonder—a story that I know will inspire thoughtful conversations and help build empathy in our classroom.\r\nThe excitement in the room when the books arrived was unforgettable! The students couldn't wait to dive in, and they're already buzzing with curiosity about August's journey. It means so much to me—and to them—that we can experience this powerful story together, thanks to your support.\r\nWe truly appreciate your belief in our class and in the power of books. Thank you for making this reading experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1755746305319,"projectUrl":"project/choose-kindness-building-empathy-and-in/9566468/","projectTitle":"Choose Kindness: Building Empathy and Inclusion Through Wonder","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Juarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7944449"},{"teacherId":7944449,"projectId":9550309,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your generous donation to our 5th-grade classroom through DonorsChoose. Your contribution has made an incredible impact on our learning environment, and I am beyond excited to share the positive changes it has brought.\r\nThanks to your support, we now have a wide variety of games, engaging activities, and essential classroom supplies that are already transforming the way we learn. These resources have given my students the opportunity to interact with the material in new and creative ways, making learning more fun, engaging, and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1755712096087,"projectUrl":"project/team-work-makes-the-dream-work/9550309/","projectTitle":"Team Work Makes The Dream Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Juarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7944449"},{"teacherId":495127,"projectId":9193318,"letterContent":"On behaf of our school, staff, and families, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of a book repair machine and repair tape to our school library. Your thoughtful contribution has already begun to make a lasting impact on our ability to preserve and care for the books that serve as an essential part of our students' education and daily lives. \r\nOnce again, thank you for your thoughtful and impactful donation. Please know that every time a repaired book finds its way back into the hands of an eager reader, it is because of your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1746787052759,"projectUrl":"project/book-doctor/9193318/","projectTitle":"Book Doctor","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Showers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp495127_orig.png?crop=295,295,x0,y215&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711136208549","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dshowers"},{"teacherId":7944449,"projectId":9143392,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my fifth graders are thriving in their small group learning environment! The materials from this project have transformed our classroom into a space where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow.\r\nWith the tools provided, students are engaging more deeply in targeted instruction, collaborative activities, and hands-on practice during small group time. Whether it's diving into a challenging text, strengthening their math skills, or working on social-emotional strategies, each learner is getting what they need—right when they need it.\r\n\r\nSmall group learning has not only boosted academic confidence, but also built stronger peer connections. Students are participating more, taking risks, and cheering each other on. Your donation made this personalized, focused learning possible—and the impact is already clear in both their progress and their pride.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and believing in the power of small groups to make big change!","fullyFundedDate":1742909878152,"projectUrl":"project/small-group-big-learning/9143392/","projectTitle":"Small Group Big Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Juarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7944449"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32483","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":737,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":40,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":41,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"23.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.6,"schoolId":32483,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about American Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"American Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/rosedale-union-school-district/american-elementary-school/32483"}
Join the 243 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
American Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Bakersfield, California that is part of Rosedale Union School District.
It serves 737 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 23.0:1.
Its teachers have had 155 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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
53%
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.
American Elementary 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.
American Elementary School
$88,334
raised using DonorsChoose
155
projects
funded
32
teachers
funded
243
donors
15
projects
for
basic supplies
13
projects for
technology
31
projects for
books
15
projects
for
art supplies
American Elementary School has received support from
208 individuals from California and
35 individuals out-of-state.