{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Otter Creek Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6557498,"projectId":10493436,"letterContent":"The new carpet and reading materials have already made such a special difference in our classroom! My students were so excited when they saw the delivery, and they immediately wanted to use everything. As their final year of elementary school, our time together on the carpet feels extra special. They love gathering for circle, where we share, connect, and make space for one another. One particularly meaningful moment was when a student shared something difficult they were going through, and classmates responded with comfort, encouragement, and advice. It reminded me how important our classroom community is.\r\n\r\nMy students have also been loving our read-alouds and are practicing taking thoughtful notes during mini-lessons. During independent and partner work, the carpet has quickly become a favorite place to focus and get work done. I love that it gives students the opportunity to make decisions about their own learning environment and discover where they learn best.\r\n\r\nMy students are incredibly grateful and feel special knowing that people chose to support our classroom. When I told them that \"special people\" donated these materials, they came up with the idea of writing thank-you notes themselves. I cannot wait to see how these resources continue to support their literacy growth, strengthen our classroom community, and, most importantly, help their love of reading flourish throughout their final year of elementary school.","fullyFundedDate":1787447262480,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-to-read-and-connect-building-ou/10493436/","projectTitle":"A Place to Read and Connect: Building Our Classroom Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gachuz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6557498_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x266,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780069848602","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/e-gachuz"},{"teacherId":6557498,"projectId":10313506,"letterContent":"The new STEM resources have been an amazing addition to our classroom! My students were so excited to see the materials and could not wait to start building and exploring. One of my favorite moments was discovering that one of my students dreams of becoming an engineer when he grows up. It was wonderful to see him so excited to share his interests and ideas.\r\n\r\nI also saw students shine in skills that do not always have a chance to be highlighted in our classroom. One student who struggles with reading was able to problem-solve, communicate his ideas, and lead his team in building a skyscraper. I watched students include one another, listen to different ideas, and have meaningful conversations as they worked together.\r\n\r\nThroughout the year, students will have many opportunities to use these resources for different STEM projects. My hope is that, with each new challenge, they will continue developing their problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and perseverance while building confidence in themselves and seeing themselves as capable STEM learners.","fullyFundedDate":1781726609706,"projectUrl":"project/stem-experiences-through-building-creati/10313506/","projectTitle":"STEM Experiences through Building Creatively","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gachuz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6557498_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x266,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780069848602","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/e-gachuz"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28887","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":674,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":47,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"19.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":84.0,"schoolId":28887,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Otter Creek Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Otter Creek Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/elgin-school-district-u-46/otter-creek-elementary-school/28887"}
Join the 156 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Otter Creek Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Elgin, Illinois that is part of Elgin School District U - 46.
It serves 674 students
in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.8:1.
Its teachers have had 29 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 6
674 Students
34 Teachers
2701 Hopps RdContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
68%
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.
Otter Creek Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Oct 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.
Otter Creek Elementary School
$15,575
raised using DonorsChoose
29
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
156
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
books
Otter Creek Elementary School has received support from
131 individuals from Illinois and
25 individuals out-of-state.