{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dunbar Hill Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1873857,"projectId":9420607,"letterContent":"Your support has had a tremendous impact on students' learning by making it possible to purchase classroom sets of The Phantom Tollbooth and Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. Because of these contributions, every student now has their own copy of each book—an opportunity that significantly deepens engagement. Instead of relying on shared texts or limited excerpts, students can read at their own pace, revisit important moments, and develop a more personal relationship with the stories. This level of access encourages ownership of learning and fosters a genuine love of reading.\r\n\r\nOne student, who usually prefers visual learning, has been sketching scenes from Thunder Rolling in the Mountains to help picture the characters, setting, and plot, and he's proudly sharing his sketches during discussions. A quieter student—often hesitant to speak in class—recently raised her hand to point out a powerful passage she annotated about leadership and courage, sparking a thoughtful conversation among her peers.\r\n\r\nThese moments show just how much these books have opened doors for students. They aren't just reading—they're questioning, imagining, connecting, and finding confidence in their ideas. Thanks to your support, every child has a copy to use as a tool for discovery, discussion, and academic growth.","fullyFundedDate":1757555015763,"projectUrl":"project/books-in-every-hand-empowering-students/9420607/","projectTitle":"Books in Every Hand: Empowering Students Through Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1873857"},{"teacherId":1873857,"projectId":9454129,"letterContent":"Your generous gift of the book Ramayana by Sanjay Patel has brought new energy and important learning opportunities into our classroom. Through this text, students will develop skills in comprehension, cultural literacy, and character analysis, while also engaging with lessons about courage, empathy, and making thoughtful choices. The story's themes spark rich conversations which will help students practice critical thinking as they draw connections between the characters' experiences and their own lives. Because the book introduces new vocabulary and narrative structures, it will also support growth in reading fluency and confidence—skills that will stay with them long after the story ends.\r\n\r\nReading time is an important part of our day. Students gather with their books in hand, taking turns reading aloud, asking questions, and sharing predictions about what will happen next. Several students who were previously reluctant readers are now lighting up in anticipation of reading Ramayana. Your contribution has created joy and anticipation in our classroom, and its impact is already visible in the enthusiasm of our young readers.","fullyFundedDate":1757554930459,"projectUrl":"project/our-6th-graders-read-learn-and-soar/9454129/","projectTitle":"Our 6th Graders Read, Learn, and Soar!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1873857"},{"teacherId":1873857,"projectId":9318618,"letterContent":"I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of play-based learning materials. The kids were sooooo excited when they saw the new materials. These engaging tools have already begun to make a meaningful impact in our classrooms. Through open-ended play, our children are exploring essential developmental skills—fine motor coordination, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and collaborative play—all while having fun in a safe, nurturing environment.\r\n\r\nThe kinetic sand and Play-Doh have become instant favorites, offering tactile and sensory experiences that support emotional regulation and creativity. Meanwhile, the blocks and magnetic tiles are fostering early engineering skills and encouraging cooperative play, as children build, imagine, and learn together.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only enhanced our learning environment but also affirmed the importance of community support in creating enriching opportunities for our youngest learners. Thanks to you, our children are experiencing joy in learning through hands-on exploration every day. We will continues to use the materials for literacy and STEAM activities. Your support means the world to us—and to the bright young minds you're helping to shape. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746698762850,"projectUrl":"project/developing-critical-skills-through-meani/9318618/","projectTitle":"Developing Critical Skills Through Meaningful Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1873857"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43962","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":271,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":36,"percentWhite":14,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":35,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":84.6,"schoolId":43962,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dunbar Hill Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dunbar Hill Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/hamden-public-schools/dunbar-hill-elementary-school/43962"}

Dunbar Hill Elementary School

Join the 52 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Dunbar Hill Elementary School is a suburban public school in Hamden, Connecticut that is part of Hamden Public Schools. It serves 271 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.6:1. Its teachers have had 17 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

271 Students

20 Teachers

315 Lane St

Hamden, CT 06514 View local requests

http://www.hamden.org/dunbarhill/

Evidence-based impact

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

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Dunbar Hill Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Dunbar Hill Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

73%

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.

Dunbar Hill 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.

Dunbar Hill Elementary School

$8,318

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

donors

project for technology

projects for books

Dunbar Hill Elementary School has received support from 44 individuals from Connecticut and 8 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.

Dunbar Hill Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Dunbar Hill Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Share & help us grow support

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Dunbar Hill Elementary School Demographics

Dunbar Hill Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

Dunbar Hill Elementary School

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