{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"James Shields Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6549655,"projectId":9580284,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful new rugs for our classroom library. When my students walked in and saw the vibrant, comfortable space created by your donation, their faces absolutely lit up. Before this, students had to sit on a cold, hard floor, but now the library feels instantly warmer and more comfortable. You have effectively turned an uncomfortable reading space into a cozy sanctuary where children feel safe, welcome, and excited to read.\r\nThese rugs have quickly become the \"heart\" of our library, serving as the perfect gathering place for students to read or have collaborative discussions. It is heartwarming to see students sprawling out comfortably with a good book, eager to read simply because they finally have a comfortable, dedicated space to relax. Your contribution has done so much more than cover the floor; it has helped foster a love of reading and created a sense of belonging for every child who visits us.","fullyFundedDate":1760706075589,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-reading-rug/9580284/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Reading Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6549655_orig.jpg?crop=951,951,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630937400894","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6549655"},{"teacherId":9803104,"projectId":9681267,"letterContent":"This year's class is particularly energetic. I truly don't know how we would get through our Morning Meeting without them! \r\nMorning Meeting is the foundation of the day. It's the time we come together as a group. It's the time when we connect, or we reconnect, to the skill and knowledge building on which we are focusing. As a PreK class, it is a time when the students learn how to actively listen, participate in discussions and spend some time in a stationary position, something new to most of them. Without these chairs, some of out students would not be able to participate. The chairs help them understand where they are supposed to be, and having chairs for everyone allows the less wiggly students to be models for the \"wigglers.\"\r\nI thank you for your donation, and if our students understood the importance of chairs, they would thank you, too.","fullyFundedDate":1757527428179,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-our-young-learners-settle-in/9681267/","projectTitle":"Please Help Our Young Learners Settle into School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruppe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9803104_orig.jpg?crop=1179,1179,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756993407695","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9803104"},{"teacherId":8020715,"projectId":5775889,"letterContent":"I'd like to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contribution. Your donation has made an immediate and meaningful impact on my ability to support thr social emotional needs of many students. Our students and I are truly grateful for your kindness and commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. \r\n\r\nYour support goes beyond just providing materials; it reflects a deep understanding of the importance of social and emotional well being in education. Thank you again for your incredible generosity and for being a part of the positive change we strive to create every day.","fullyFundedDate":1630607769162,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-supports-for-diverse-le/5775889/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Supports for Diverse Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8020715"},{"teacherId":991454,"projectId":8505976,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our classroom gathering space. Students love working at the rug in both whole group and small group activities. The Lakeshore rug has colored squares that provides each student a perfect amount of space to sit and read. \r\nWe begin every morning at the rug to go over our morning news. We gather here for read alouds too. Students love to bring centers to the rug because they have room to spread out and explore using math maniplulatives. I know my students enjoy this new Lakeshore rug as much as I do. It has been such a great addition to our classroom. Thank you again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1724035291750,"projectUrl":"project/our-kindergarten-gathering-place/8505976/","projectTitle":"Our Kindergarten Gathering Place","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Berry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp991454_orig.jpg?crop=866,866,x0,y573&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660085247845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/991454"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5763","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":483,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.3,"schoolId":5763,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about James Shields Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"James Shields Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/shields-elementary-school/5763"}
Join the 251 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
James Shields Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 483 students
in grades Pre-K - 4 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.5:1.
Its teachers have had 94 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support James Shields Elementary School
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
96%
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.
James Shields Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 16, 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.
James Shields Elementary School
$40,817
raised using DonorsChoose
94
projects
funded
32
teachers
funded
251
donors
11
projects
for
basic supplies
20
projects for
technology
4
projects for
books
4
projects
for
art supplies
James Shields Elementary School has received support from
194 individuals from Illinois and
57 individuals out-of-state.
