{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Joy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10107483,"projectId":9526594,"letterContent":"I work with a great group of second grade students who love to try new learning activities. It can be challenging to find new ideas and materials. My students were so excited to receive the resources that your donations purchased. They use the letter cubes to make words each week. We use the Unifix cubes regularly to work on addition and subtraction. The magnetic numbers and ten frames support this, too. I display the phonics rule posters as we learn each new rule. My students love having the opportunity to work with different manipulatives and activities. We appreciate your support!","fullyFundedDate":1757683144284,"projectUrl":"project/counting-on-cubes-making-math-and-readi/9526594/","projectTitle":"Counting on Cubes: Making Math and Reading Click","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yackus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10107483"},{"teacherId":10189145,"projectId":9623599,"letterContent":"Your funding has significantly improved our students' ability to engage, participate, and succeed in the learning environment. With the support of this grant, we were able to introduce sensory tools such as fidgets and a dedicated sensory room, along with accessibility supports including flexible seating options and headphones with microphones.\r\n\r\nThese resources have improved students' focus, emotional regulation, and classroom participation. Students now have access to appropriate sensory outlets that help replace off-task and behavioral distractions with purposeful, calming tools. Flexible seating has empowered students to choose learning environments that meet their comfort and sensory needs, increasing both attention and academic stamina. Additionally, headphones with microphones enhance communication and participation, particularly for students who benefit from reducing background noise or require support with speech and language processing.\r\n\r\nAs a result, our teachers have noticed an increase in active engagement, longer sustained work periods, and improved self-advocacy skills among students who previously struggled to remain on task or manage sensory needs. These supports have fostered a more inclusive classroom culture where all learners can access instruction, participate meaningfully, and develop the confidence needed for continued success.","fullyFundedDate":1755734246277,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-and-accessibility-tools/9623599/","projectTitle":"Sensory and Accessibility Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mooneyhan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10189145_orig.jpg?crop=824,824,x0,y1208&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755609783528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10189145"},{"teacherId":1175887,"projectId":9196303,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and the staff at Joy, I would like to extend our greatest appreciation for your generous support of our sensory garden.\r\n\r\n With your donation, we were able to complete multiple unique sitting benches representing various aspects of our students and their artwork. We were also able to bring in more sensory elements to the garden including a rain drum, solar water fountain and varied types of pinwheels. In addition, plant markers and additional plants and flowers were added. Over the summer. our garden flourished with sunflowers, mint, parsely, lillies and much more!\r\n Our students have loved using the outdoor space for learning, relaxing and meeting their sensory needs. They love peeking out the window to observe new growth and wildlife, and they are always excited to spend time in an environment that feels natural, safe, and calming.\r\n\r\nThis fall, we plan to continue expanding the space by adding a pergola swing and several types of bird feeders.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Your support has made a lasting impact on our students' learning and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1742945947732,"projectUrl":"project/the-joyful-senses-garden/9196303/","projectTitle":"The \"Joy\"ful Senses Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kiser","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1175887"},{"teacherId":7876946,"projectId":8428608,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for gifting these wonderful resources for my students. Over the year my kids have grown so much in reading and phonics due to the resources you guys gave us! \r\n\r\nMy kids have enjoyed small groups and whole group so much more this year. Having hands on materials for students is a game changer! They look forward to using all of these materials while they work in small groups, centers, or whole group! \r\n\r\nI am so proud of my students this year and the growth I have seen in all of them! I could not have seen this much growth without the help from you!","fullyFundedDate":1721182434203,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-reading/8428608/","projectTitle":"The Power of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Southworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7876946_orig.jpg?crop=1188,1188,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628120660219","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7876946"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19176","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":416,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":38,"percentWhite":37,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":71.0,"schoolId":19176,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Joy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Joy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/michigan-city-area-schools/joy-elementary-school/19176"}

Joy Elementary School

Join the 193 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

Joy Elementary School is an urban public school in Michigan City, Indiana that is part of Michigan City Area Schools. It serves 416 students in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.9:1. Its teachers have had 67 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 6

416 Students

30 Teachers

1600 E Coolspring Ave

Michigan City, IN 46360 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Joy Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Joy Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

48%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Joy Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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.

Joy Elementary School

$34,424

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

193

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

project for art supplies

Joy Elementary School has received support from 137 individuals from Indiana and 56 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Joy Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Joy Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Joy Elementary School Demographics

Joy Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Joy Elementary School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.