{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benton Grade School 5 - 8","outOfStateSupporters":53.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8579964,"projectId":9515274,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of sewing supplies to our art classroom! My seventh and eighth grade students were extremely excited when we received the new sewing materials. Over half of my students shared that they had never sewn anything before and were eager to learn. Even many of the students who had some experience sewing had never used a sewing machine, so there was something new and exciting for everyone.\r\n\r\nOur first project using the new sewing materials was to create a sock puppet. Students began by designing their puppets. They drew inspiration from animals, movie characters, and television shows. They then learned about the different sewing tools and techniques they would use to bring their ideas to life. With great enthusiasm, students sewed arms, legs, and clothing for their puppets, transforming their drawings into colorful, three-dimensional creations.\r\n\r\nThis project sparked an incredible enthusiasm for sewing throughout the classroom. One student shared that they now hope to get a sewing machine of their own so they can try making clothes at home. Another proudly told me that they were able to repair a family member's torn clothing using the new sewing skills they learned in class. It's been amazing to see their confidence and creativity grow.\r\n\r\nYour generous donation has truly made this possible. It has allowed students to explore a new art form, gain valuable hands-on skills, and experience the joy of creating something entirely their own. My students and I are deeply grateful for your support, and I'm excited to continue seeing the wonderful works of art they will create with the materials you provided.","fullyFundedDate":1755477358974,"projectUrl":"project/lifelong-sewing-skills/9515274/","projectTitle":"Lifelong Sewing Skills!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanders","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8579964_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y563&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724167904056","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sanders-art"},{"teacherId":8579964,"projectId":9515180,"letterContent":"Students were very excited and grateful when we received the new drawing materials in the classroom. Many shared that they had never used shading pencils or Prismacolor colored pencils before. They were eager to try them out and immediately began using them in their one-point perspective project. Students loved how much control the shading pencils gave them when adding value to their artwork, allowing them to achieve a full range of light and dark tones that are difficult to create with regular pencils. Some students also used the Prismacolor pencils to add color to their sketches and were thrilled with how smoothly they blended. This was such an exciting experience for my middle school students!\r\n\r\nCurrently, students are using these materials in their monthly sketchbook assignments to build drawing skills and practice new techniques. They are also using the erasable colored pencils in another project where they are designing custom shoes inspired by candy. The erasable pencils have been especially helpful for creating clean underdrawings, since they don't show through once students add color with markers later on.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for donating and supporting our art program! My students and I are incredibly grateful for your generosity. Many students have shared how thankful they are for the chance to experiment with materials we wouldn't have had otherwise. I'm excited to continue seeing the amazing works of art my students create with these wonderful supplies!","fullyFundedDate":1756568603632,"projectUrl":"project/pencils-with-purpose/9515180/","projectTitle":"Pencils With Purpose","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanders","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8579964_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y563&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724167904056","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sanders-art"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25205","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":426,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":94,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":46.2,"schoolId":25205,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benton Grade School 5 - 8 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benton Grade School 5 - 8","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/benton-community-consolidated-school-district-47/benton-grade-school-5-8/25205"}
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About this school
Benton Grade School 5 - 8 is
a town public school
in Benton, Illinois that is part of Benton Community Consolidated School District 47.
It serves 426 students
in grades 5 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.7:1.
Its teachers have had 7 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
4%
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.
Benton Grade School 5 - 8 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 24, 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.
Benton Grade School 5 - 8
$2,817
raised using DonorsChoose
7
projects
funded
3
teachers
funded
13
donors
1
project for
technology
4
projects
for
art supplies
Benton Grade School 5 - 8 has received support from
6 individuals from Illinois and
7 individuals out-of-state.
