{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Miami Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7541554,"projectId":10040734,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the meaningful impact that your support has had on my first-grade classroom through our recent writing project. The special notebooks we received became much more than simple school supplies—they were the foundation for growth, creativity, and confidence among my students.\r\n\r\nAt the start of this project, many of my students viewed writing as a challenging task. They were often hesitant to put their thoughts on paper, unsure of their spelling, sentence structure, or even their ideas. However, once each child received their own special notebook, there was an immediate shift in attitude. The notebooks gave them a sense of ownership and pride. They understood that these were not just ordinary workbooks, but a personal space where their ideas mattered.\r\n\r\nI implemented the writing project as a daily routine within our literacy block. Each morning, students were given a prompt or an opportunity for free writing. We explored a variety of themes, including personal narratives, imaginative stories, and simple informational pieces. The notebooks allowed for consistency, as students could revisit their previous entries, reflect on their progress, and build upon their ideas over time.\r\n\r\nOne of the most remarkable outcomes was the noticeable improvement in their writing skills. Students began forming more complete sentences, using descriptive language, and organizing their thoughts more clearly. Even those who initially struggled started to take risks in their writing. They experimented with new vocabulary, attempted longer stories, and showed a growing understanding of basic grammar and punctuation.\r\n\r\nEqually important was the creativity that flourished throughout this project. The notebooks became a safe space for imagination. Students wrote about magical lands, adventurous animals, and personal experiences with vivid detail. Many paired their writing with illustrations, bringing their stories to life in ways that reflected their unique perspectives. It was inspiring to see how eager they were to share their work with peers, often asking for extra time to continue writing.\r\n\r\nBeyond academic improvement, this project also supported social and emotional growth. Students developed confidence in expressing themselves and began to see themselves as authors. Sharing their writing during group time helped build a sense of community in the classroom, as they learned to listen, appreciate, and respond to each other's ideas.\r\n\r\nThe special notebooks played a critical role in this success. Their quality and design made the experience feel special and intentional. Students treated them with care and took pride in maintaining them. For many, this was their first experience having a dedicated space for their own thoughts and stories, and it made a lasting impression.\r\n\r\nIn conclusion, this writing project significantly enhanced both the skills and enthusiasm of my first-grade students. They not only improved their writing abilities, but also discovered the joy of storytelling and self-expression. Your support made this possible, and its impact will continue to influence their learning journey.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping to inspire a love of writing in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768778584866,"projectUrl":"project/bare-necessities-for-writers/10040734/","projectTitle":"Bare Necessities for Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Snoke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7541554"},{"teacherId":2483713,"projectId":9757458,"letterContent":"Our students meet weekly to design, build, and test their robots, and the new resources have greatly enhanced this experience. Students use the materials to practice hands-on building skills while constructing both a robot and a custom field for it to drive on. One memorable moment was watching teams collaborate to troubleshoot designs adjusting parts, testing solutions on the field, and learning through trial and error. The comfortable seating has created a welcoming space for planning and teamwork, and the healthy snacks help students stay energized and focused throughout each session.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. They were eager to begin building and proud to have tools that made their work feel authentic and meaningful. Many students shared that the space felt like a real engineering environment, which boosted their confidence and motivation. They have shared that coming to robotics is their favorite time of the day.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue refining their robots to improve movement, control, and performance on the field. They will test designs, analyze results, and make improvements while strengthening teamwork and problem-solving skills. Thanks to these resources, students are not only learning robotics, but also building confidence, persistence, and a love for STEM learning.","fullyFundedDate":1761967817525,"projectUrl":"project/revving-up-robotics/9757458/","projectTitle":"Revving Up Robotics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fajardo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483713_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532617019145","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fajardomhe"},{"teacherId":8457445,"projectId":9453529,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project! Your generosity has brought so much excitement and engagement into our 5th grade science classroom. The see-through growing kit has helped students connect what they learn in class to real-life science by allowing them to observe plant growth up close. While many people use technology in everyday life, in the classroom we use it as a tool to record measurements, research scientific concepts, and create digital reflections of what students are discovering. Having the materials and setup we now do allows students to learn in meaningful, hands-on ways.\r\n\r\nThe new supplies and LED lighting have made our classroom feel bright, organized, and inviting. Students are eager to use their colored paper, crayons, and pencils to record data, create diagrams, and share their learning visually. The growing kit has definitely become a favorite, with students gathering around it to check the roots and leaves and talk about what they're observing. It has sparked curiosity and helped them truly see science in action.\r\n\r\nYour support has impacted not just their learning, but also their confidence and enthusiasm. Thank you for helping create an environment where students are excited to come in each day and explore science with hands-on materials and creativity!","fullyFundedDate":1757252215693,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-minds-with-tools-to-gro/9453529/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Minds with Tools to Grow, Create and Succeed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Peñate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8457445_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752078370151","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-castro-ela"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45896","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":436,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":82,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.1,"schoolId":45896,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about South Miami Heights Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"South Miami Heights Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/miami-dade-county-public-schools/south-miami-heights-elementary-school/45896"}
Join the 162 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
South Miami Heights Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Miami, Florida that is part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
It serves 436 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.5:1.
Its teachers have had 47 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support South Miami Heights Elementary School
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South Miami Heights Elementary School Demographics
68%
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
95%
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.
South Miami Heights Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 1, 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.
South Miami Heights Elementary School
$22,503
raised using DonorsChoose
47
projects
funded
20
teachers
funded
162
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
16
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
South Miami Heights Elementary School has received support from
120 individuals from Florida and
42 individuals out-of-state.
