{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Goodrell Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":32.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10028461,"projectId":9599903,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our middle school band program! With your generosity, we were able to add new music stands and auxiliary percussion equipment to our classroom. These resources may seem simple, but they make an enormous difference — students can read their music comfortably, share materials more efficiently, and explore a wider world of percussion sounds that keep them excited and engaged.\r\n\r\nAs a Title I school, many of our students don't have access to private lessons, instruments, or music experiences outside of school. Your donation gives them the opportunity to participate fully, feel successful, and take pride in their role as musicians. It's been amazing watching students build confidence and teamwork as they discover what they can accomplish together.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for donors like you who believe in our students' potential. Thank you for helping open doors, create opportunity, and keep the music alive in our band room!","fullyFundedDate":1760693782571,"projectUrl":"project/helping-young-musicians-find-their-first/9599903/","projectTitle":"Helping Young Musicians Find Their First Brass Notes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark-Sindler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10028461_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750944128530","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10028461"},{"teacherId":10028461,"projectId":9886469,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our beginning string players with high-quality violin bows! For young musicians, having the right equipment makes a huge impact — better sound, better technique, and the confidence to keep practicing and growing.\r\n\r\nAs a Title I middle school, many of our students do not have access to private lessons or their own instruments outside of school. Your generosity gives them the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment with tools that set them up for success. It has been incredible to watch students light up as they hear themselves produce a clear tone for the very first time.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for donors like you who believe in our students' potential and help remove barriers to music education. Thank you for opening doors and creating opportunity for our young musicians!","fullyFundedDate":1764729780632,"projectUrl":"project/new-violin-bows-for-our-middle-school-mu/9886469/","projectTitle":"New Violin Bows for Our Middle School Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark-Sindler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10028461_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750944128530","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10028461"},{"teacherId":10028461,"projectId":9474362,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our beginning musicians with new saxophone neckstraps! These may seem like small items, but for our young players they make a huge difference — helping them hold their instruments correctly, play longer, and feel more confident as they build skills.\r\n\r\nAs a Title I middle school, many of our students don't have access to music opportunities outside of school. Your generosity gives them the chance to learn an instrument, take pride in their progress, and see themselves as musicians. It's powerful to watch students light up when they realize that someone believes in their potential.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for donors like you who open doors and create opportunity. Thank you for investing in our students and helping them make music with comfort and confidence!","fullyFundedDate":1760693715065,"projectUrl":"project/support-their-sound-neck-straps-for-beg/9474362/","projectTitle":"Support Their Sound: Neck Straps for Beginning Saxophonists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark-Sindler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10028461_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750944128530","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10028461"},{"teacherId":10028461,"projectId":9841530,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our middle school music program! As a Title I school, our students don't always have access to the same materials and experiences as their peers, so your generosity truly creates opportunity.\r\n\r\nThe triangle and tambourine have already made an impact in our percussion section. Students who rarely get the chance to shine are now confidently keeping rhythm, experimenting with new sounds, and feeling proud of their contributions in class. These small additions have opened big doors for engagement, collaboration, and creativity.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for donors like you who believe in our students' potential and help bring music to life in our classroom. Thank you for investing in their growth and for giving them the opportunity to learn, perform, and succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1764649180597,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-the-beat-tambourine-and-triangl/9841530/","projectTitle":"Keeping the Beat: Tambourine and Triangle for Our MS Band!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark-Sindler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10028461_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750944128530","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10028461"},{"teacherId":10028461,"projectId":9474238,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support of our music program! This snare drum and stand will have a powerful impact on our Title I middle school band by giving students access to the quality equipment they deserve. Many of my students are experiencing formal music education for the first time, and having a reliable, well-made instrument allows them to focus on learning, confidence, and musical growth instead of struggling with worn-out or shared equipment.\r\n\r\nWith a sturdy snare drum and adjustable stand, students are able to practice proper technique, posture, and ensemble skills—foundations that are critical for long-term success in music. \r\n\r\nThis project expands opportunity by removing barriers to participation. When students have access to dependable instruments, they are more likely to stay engaged, take pride in their work, and see themselves as musicians. Your support is helping create equity in music education and ensures that our Title I students can fully participate, grow, and thrive in band!","fullyFundedDate":1760693758704,"projectUrl":"project/keep-the-beat-concert-snare-drum-for-ou/9474238/","projectTitle":"Keep the Beat: Concert Snare Drum for Our Beginning Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark-Sindler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10028461_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750944128530","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10028461"},{"teacherId":9438965,"projectId":9647681,"letterContent":"I am fortunate to be piloting a Spanish 1 high school course in our middle school with one class of 8th graders. The high school recommended a book for all students to read, and with your help, we were able to purchase a class set of those books. My students absolutely loved the book and asked to read more. I was able to borrow another novel by the same author, and they read that book, as well.\r\n The kids were so excited by the \"new book\" look of our novels. They take pride in our materials and in those books. We read them as a whole class and had lessons on the culture that was discussed in there. I am working very hard to help my students become biliterate (reading and writing in 2 languages), so any novel that gets students involved and reading is beneficial. \r\n These books will be used for a long time to come. Students in several different grade levels can read and borrow these books to practice their vocabulary acquisition and fluency. They can also read them for enjoyment.\r\n\r\nThank you for playing an integral part with the biliteracy of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1761238951389,"projectUrl":"project/biliteracy-in-the-spanish-classroom/9647681/","projectTitle":"Biliteracy in the Spanish Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buckroyd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9438965_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768877358642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9438965"},{"teacherId":9565759,"projectId":9835719,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library is now filled with new, engaging books that students are excited to read. These books are being used daily during independent reading time, small-group instruction, and book clubs, giving students more choice and ownership over what they read. Students are selecting books that match their interests, reading levels, and life experiences, which has made reading feel more personal and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new books, their excitement was immediate. Many eagerly browsed the shelves, shared recommendations with classmates, and couldn't wait to start reading. Some students who were previously reluctant readers were especially excited to find books that finally felt \"just right\" for them. Seeing students light up as they discovered stories they connected with was a powerful reminder of how important access to high-interest books truly is.\r\n\r\nSince adding these new titles, I've noticed increased engagement, longer reading stamina, and richer discussions during book clubs and conferences. Students are more confident in sharing their thinking, asking questions, and making connections between texts and their own lives. Reading is no longer just an assignment—it's something students look forward to.","fullyFundedDate":1766330768072,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-inspire-a-love-of-reading/9835719/","projectTitle":"Books to Inspire a Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Small","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9565759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727054787760","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9565759"},{"teacherId":9565759,"projectId":9849935,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom hygiene cart is stocked and ready to support students every day. Students are able to quietly grab what they need—such as deodorant, sanitary pads, toothpaste, or other essentials—without having to ask or feel uncomfortable. This simple system has become a normal, trusted part of our classroom routine and helps students take care of themselves with confidence. Since the cart has been available, I've noticed students are more focused, engaged, and willing to participate in class. Instead of worrying about personal needs, they can concentrate on learning, collaborating with peers, and contributing to discussions. This has helped create a classroom environment built on dignity, trust, and care.","fullyFundedDate":1763233164658,"projectUrl":"project/refilling-our-hygiene-cart-keeping-stud/9849935/","projectTitle":"Refilling Our Hygiene Cart: Keeping Students Fresh, Focused, and Confident","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Small","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9565759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727054787760","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9565759"},{"teacherId":8390470,"projectId":9847438,"letterContent":"I am truly grateful for your generous support of our project, Exploring Our World Through Smithsonian Timelines and Encyclopedias! Your kindness is giving my students access to an incredible collection of books that will open their minds to the wonders of science, history, art, nature, and the human body. These resources are more than just books—they are windows into the world, sparking curiosity and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.\r\nFor many of my students, opportunities to explore such rich and detailed content outside of school are limited. Thanks to you, they will now have the chance to dive into timelines that connect past and present, and encyclopedias that answer the big questions they've always wondered about. These materials will help us create lessons that are interactive, engaging, and full of discovery. Students will be able to research, ask questions, and make connections that deepen their understanding of the world around them.\r\nYour generosity is not only providing knowledge—it's creating excitement and confidence in learners who are eager to grow. I can already imagine the smiles and the \"aha!\" moments when they open these books and find answers to questions they didn't even know they had. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us build a space where curiosity thrives.","fullyFundedDate":1766443277528,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-our-world-through-smithsonian/9847438/","projectTitle":"Exploring Our World Through Smithsonian Timelines and Encyclopedias","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKinley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8390470_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x40,y122&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760974819694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8390470"},{"teacherId":8390470,"projectId":9847412,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our project, An Ice Machine for Thermal Energy Exploration! Your support means the world to my students and me. With this resource, we'll be able to bring science concepts to life through hands-on experiments that make learning exciting and meaningful.\r\nYour kindness is helping create opportunities for students to explore, question, and discover—and that's a gift that lasts a lifetime. We can't wait to share our learning journey with you! We are excited for all of the amazing projects to come with this project!","fullyFundedDate":1764696446633,"projectUrl":"project/an-ice-machine-for-thermal-energy-explor/9847412/","projectTitle":"An Ice Machine for Thermal Energy Exploration!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKinley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8390470_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x40,y122&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760974819694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8390470"},{"teacherId":9480962,"projectId":9506866,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom sanitary supplies project. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to essential items that help keep our classroom clean, healthy, and ready for learning.\r\n\r\nThese supplies allow us to maintain a safe environment where students can focus on their learning without worrying about basic needs. From cleaning surfaces to promoting good hygiene habits, your donation helps protect student health and supports a positive, respectful classroom community.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are truly grateful for your generosity and for investing in their well-being. Your support makes a meaningful difference in our classroom every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758826430531,"projectUrl":"project/sanitary-supplies-for-healthy-learning/9506866/","projectTitle":"Sanitary Supplies for Healthy Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harmon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9480962_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y280&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709127499582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9480962"},{"teacherId":9480962,"projectId":9494571,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom snack project. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to snacks that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nFor many students, having a snack available makes a big difference in their ability to concentrate and participate, especially during long mornings or afternoons. Your donation helps create a classroom environment where students feel cared for and supported, not just academically but physically as well.\r\n\r\nMy students are truly grateful for your generosity, and I am thankful for your belief in their success. Your support has a direct and meaningful impact on our classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1758826430258,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-focus-healthy-snacks-for-hungry/9494571/","projectTitle":"Fueling Focus: Healthy Snacks for Hungry Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harmon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9480962_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y280&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709127499582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9480962"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51886","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":511,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":67.1,"schoolId":51886,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Goodrell Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Goodrell Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/goodrell-middle-school/51886"}
Join the 578 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Goodrell Middle School is
an urban public school
in Des Moines, Iowa that is part of Des Moines Public Schools.
It serves 511 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.2:1.
Its teachers have had 373 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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
57%
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.
Goodrell Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 22, 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.
Goodrell Middle School
$129,445
raised using DonorsChoose
373
projects
funded
36
teachers
funded
578
donors
38
projects
for
basic supplies
40
projects for
technology
136
projects for
books
31
projects
for
art supplies
Goodrell Middle School has received support from
388 individuals from Iowa and
190 individuals out-of-state.