{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"FOCUS Programs - K-12","outOfStateSupporters":37.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8386773,"projectId":9580266,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredibly thoughtful and generous gifts you provided for my classroom. The snacks, the fan, and the vacuum will truly make a meaningful difference in our daily routine.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have already brought so much excitement to my students. Having extra treats on hand allows me to support those who may forget their snack and to celebrate small victories and milestones in a special way. Your kindness helps create a warm and welcoming environment where every student feels cared for and included.\r\n\r\nThe fan is such a wonderful addition to our space. As you know, classrooms can become quitewarm and stuffy, especially during busy days filled with active learning. The fan has already helped create a more comfortable atmosphere, allowing students to focus better and stay engaged throughout lessons.\r\n\r\nThe vacuum is equally appreciated. Keeping our classroom clean is an ongoing task, and having a reliable vacuum makes it so much easier to maintain a tidy, healthy learning environment. A clean space truly supports better concentration and pride in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nYour generosity, thoughtfulness, and support mean more than words can fully express. Thank you for investing in our classroom and in the success and comfort of my students. We are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1764763821367,"projectUrl":"project/clean-comfortable-and-ready-to-learn/9580266/","projectTitle":"Clean, Comfortable, and Ready to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stephanie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8386773"},{"teacherId":7773386,"projectId":9731709,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in contributing to this project. My students and I really appreciate your support for our classroom.\r\n\r\nIt is nice to have a variety of extra clothes on hand in case of messes, spills, or accidents. Our closet was getting really low, and we were able to fill it.\r\n\r\nDonors like you are the reason we are able to have our clothing closet which is so necessary. Thanks again you for thinking of us and filling our closet! None of this could happen without your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1764963222588,"projectUrl":"project/clothing-counts/9731709/","projectTitle":"Clothing Counts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7773386_orig.jpg?crop=2146,2146,x100,y347&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614194376852","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michelle-simons"},{"teacherId":9318506,"projectId":9108812,"letterContent":"We are so incredibly grateful for your generous donation that made our sensory room tunnel possible. From the moment it arrived, our students couldn't wait to explore it. The smiles and laughter when they first crawled through were priceless.\r\n\r\nThe tunnel has quickly become a favorite break option for students who need a moment to reset when they're feeling overwhelmed or struggling. It provides a safe, quiet space where they can calm their minds and bodies before returning to learning with a fresh start.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our sensory room now offers students a meaningful way to manage big emotions, reduce stress, and build self-regulation skills that help them succeed every day. Thank you for giving them a place where they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn again.","fullyFundedDate":1746785628521,"projectUrl":"project/a-sensory-room-must-have/9108812/","projectTitle":"A Sensory Room Must Have!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erdelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9318506"},{"teacherId":7773386,"projectId":9037461,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping this project become a reality for my students! I have to admit, this was something that I just learned about, but thought it would be a great addition to our classroom.\r\n\r\nMany of my students have extra energy that they need to burn, and the NEX Playground system allows us to take very short, active breaks to expend a lot of energy. All the games are family friendly, and the kids use their bodies as the remote. It has been a hit!!\r\n\r\nAs always, we appreciate your support for the classrooms in our program!","fullyFundedDate":1740691854503,"projectUrl":"project/energy-burning-activities/9037461/","projectTitle":"Energy Burning Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7773386_orig.jpg?crop=2146,2146,x100,y347&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614194376852","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michelle-simons"},{"teacherId":7773386,"projectId":9269815,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping my classroom get this year started off on the right foot! Many of the items in this project are items that we find necessary, but aren't the typical beginning of the year school supplies, so it is so helpful to have donors like you contribute so that we can have these items.\r\n\r\nWith the first week of school under our belt, my students have been so thankful for the treats, and I have been so thankful for the Clorox wipes and Lysol to help us keep our classroom clean and as germ-free as possible.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1750256235313,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-basics/9269815/","projectTitle":"Back to Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7773386_orig.jpg?crop=2146,2146,x100,y347&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614194376852","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michelle-simons"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_131380","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":300,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":29,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":63.0,"schoolId":131380,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about FOCUS Programs - K-12 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"FOCUS Programs - K-12","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/focus-at-mann/131380"}
Join the 173 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
FOCUS Programs - K-12 is
a public school
in Des Moines, Iowa that is part of Des Moines Public Schools.
It serves 300 students
in grades K - 12.
Its teachers have had 89 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Grades K - 12
300 Students
# of teachers unavailable
1000 Porter AveContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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
56%
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.
FOCUS Programs - K-12 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 21, 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.
FOCUS Programs - K-12
$34,462
raised using DonorsChoose
89
projects
funded
14
teachers
funded
173
donors
13
projects
for
basic supplies
9
projects for
technology
10
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
FOCUS Programs - K-12 has received support from
109 individuals from Iowa and
64 individuals out-of-state.
