{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Independence Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10320957,"projectId":9844632,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation! As a third-grade teacher, I am thrilled to share the amazing impact your generosity has had in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOur classroom is a safe, welcoming space built on a foundation of trust and routine. By funding this project, you gave my students the tools they need not just to learn to count, but to count on themselves. We are focused on fostering academic growth alongside emotional well-being.\r\n\r\nMany of my students struggle with the abstract nature of emotions and need tactile, visual tools to understand and manage them, especially during group work or transitions. The materials received are used daily to transform moments of frustration into opportunities for successful problem-solving, setting my students up for a lifetime of social and academic success.\r\n\r\nOur students were thrilled when they first saw the materials! One specific item they instantly loved is the Koala Breathing Pal PLUS, used for Mindfulness Friends and the Calming Corner. The students proposed different names and enthusiastically voted for their favorite: Koko!\r\n\r\nThe math manipulatives have also had a great impact on our students. They have been practicing their multiplication tables, and the multiplication game chart is a fantastic educational fidget that provides a fun way to practice.\r\n\r\nThe next step for our classroom is to focus on modeling compassion and building self-esteem. We specifically have two Project-Based Learning opportunities to engage families and community members after Spring Break. Thank you for helping us build bridges of belonging for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1769177165276,"projectUrl":"project/building-bridges-of-belonging-math-mani/9844632/","projectTitle":"Building Bridges of Belonging: Math Manipulatives for Social-Emotional Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vieyra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10320957"},{"teacherId":7701649,"projectId":9053363,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nIt is with heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation that I share this impact letter with you, in recognition of your generous support toward enhancing our students' learning experience. Thank you so much for your kindness in donating headsets to our classroom. We have been using them for a few weeks now, and the transformation they have brought about is truly remarkable.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these headsets has been profound. They have significantly improved our classroom environment by creating a quiet space that allows students to concentrate during literacy and math centers. Additionally, students are now able to engage more fully with technology—listening to stories with clarity, which greatly enhances comprehension. The headsets also help students stay focused on their own devices, minimizing distractions from neighbors and fostering a more productive learning atmosphere.\r\n\r\nI could never have imagined the positive difference these headsets would make in our classroom. Your generosity has truly made a lasting impact on my students' learning journey, and for that, I am deeply grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your kindness and for helping us create a better, more focused learning environment for my students.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation, \r\nMrs. Rodriguez","fullyFundedDate":1745421524163,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-a-childs-learning-experience/9053363/","projectTitle":"Enhancing a Child's Learning Experience!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7701649"},{"teacherId":7701649,"projectId":9053456,"letterContent":"It is with great gratitude and appreciation that I submit this impact letter to you for your kindness and willingness to give, toward the Learning Through Play. Thank you so much for donating board games to our classroom. We have been using the games for the past two weeks now. The impact that the games have made is amazing! They have made a major impact on our classroom environment. Students have been able to problem solve, play as a team, and focus on different strategies. The games have also helped students develop their social skills while having fun. I never could have imagined the impact that these games would have in our class. Thank you so much for impacting our classroom in such a huge way and helping my students.","fullyFundedDate":1744032825033,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-play/9053456/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7701649"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27305","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":593,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":25,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":57,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":78.2,"schoolId":27305,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Independence Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Independence Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/valley-view-cmty-sd-365-u/independence-elementary-school/27305"}
Join the 78 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Independence Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Bolingbrook, Illinois that is part of Valley View Cmty SD 365-u.
It serves 593 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.6:1.
Its teachers have had 22 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Independence 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.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
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
85%
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.
Independence Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 8, 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.
Independence Elementary School
$9,104
raised using DonorsChoose
22
projects
funded
11
teachers
funded
78
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
1
project for
books
Independence Elementary School has received support from
61 individuals from Illinois and
17 individuals out-of-state.
